Artemisia californica
California sagebrush
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Artemisia californica (California sagebrush) is a native California shrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by thread-like leaves and flexible stems are distinctive.
California sagebrush is a California native shrub found in central and southern coastal and inland areas in coastal scrub, chaparral, and open woodland at elevations below 800 meters. Flowering from August to November, this plant produces small, nodding heads of yellow-green flowers less than 5 millimeters in diameter. Growing with slender, flexible, wand-like stems 1.2 to 2.5 meters tall that branch from the base, it forms a rounded, open shape. Its distinctive leaves are thread-like, often with curled margins, ranging from 1 to 10 centimeters long and varying from entire to finely divided, with a light green to gray coloration. The plant produces tiny fruits less than 1.5 millimeters long, dotted with resin glands and barely accompanied by a pappus.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 20 sympatric species; thread-like leaves and flexible stems are distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coastal scrub, chaparral, open woodland
Elevation: < 800 m
Outside California: northern Baja California
Bloom period
Artemisia californica blooms Aug-Nov.
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 californica native to California?
Yes. Artemisia californica is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Artemisia californica bloom?
Artemisia californica blooms Aug-Nov.
What plant family does Artemisia californica belong to?
Artemisia californica is in the Asteraceae family, genus Artemisia.
What habitat does Artemisia californica grow in?
Artemisia californica grows in Coastal scrub, chaparral, open woodland.
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.