Artemisia borealis subsp. borealis
Boreal sage, Boreal Sage
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Herb · Native
Artemisia borealis subsp. borealis (Boreal sage) is a native California herb in the Asteraceae family, recognized by unscented nature and meadow habitat distinguish from fragrant sages.
Boreal sage is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges in meadow habitats at elevations around 2,200 meters. Flowering from July to August, this plant produces pale green or yellow flowers in small heads less than 5 millimeters in diameter, clustered in narrow, erect panicle-like arrangements. Growing 10 to 40 centimeters tall with erect, slightly silky reddish stems that form a mounded habit, it emerges from a sturdy taproot. Its leaves are primarily basal, 2 to 7 centimeters long, intricately divided into fine linear lobes, with a delicate, lacy appearance ranging from nearly smooth to densely silky. The plant forms compact, light green clusters with widely spaced stem leaves that become progressively smaller and less divided toward the top of the plant.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 7 sympatric species; unscented nature and meadow habitat distinguish from fragrant sages
Habitat and range
Habitat: Meadows
Elevation: +- 2200 m.
California counties: Siskiyou
Outside California: to Alaska, Canada, northern Eurasia
Bloom period
Artemisia borealis subsp. borealis blooms Jul-Aug.
How to tell it apart
vs Salvia: Artemisia has tiny clustered flower heads in the sunflower family; Salvia has two-lipped tubular flowers in the mint family with square stems.; vs Ambrosia: Artemisia has fused anthers and typically silvery foliage; Ambrosia has free anthers and often deeply lobed green leaves.; vs Ericameria: Artemisia is aromatic with inconspicuous greenish heads lacking rays; Ericameria has bright yellow daisy-like heads with showy ray petals.; vs Pseudognaphalium: Artemisia has no seed bristles and woody stems; Pseudognaphalium has fluffy white pappus bristles and soft herbaceous stems.; vs Eschscholzia: Artemisia has tiny greenish clustered flower heads; Eschscholzia has large showy orange or yellow poppy flowers with 4 petals.
Frequently asked questions
Is Artemisia borealis subsp. borealis native to California?
Yes. Artemisia borealis subsp. borealis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Artemisia borealis subsp. borealis bloom?
Artemisia borealis subsp. borealis blooms Jul-Aug.
Where in California does Artemisia borealis subsp. borealis grow?
Artemisia borealis subsp. borealis occurs in Siskiyou, at elevations of +- 2200 m..
What plant family does Artemisia borealis subsp. borealis belong to?
Artemisia borealis subsp. borealis is in the Asteraceae family, genus Artemisia.
What habitat does Artemisia borealis subsp. borealis grow in?
Artemisia borealis subsp. borealis grows in Meadows.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.