Artemisia ludoviciana subsp. albula
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Family: Asteraceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Artemisia ludoviciana subsp. albula is a native California subshrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by small persistently white-woolly leaves distinctive.
White sage is a California native perennial found in the Peninsular Ranges and desert regions in dry sandy soils, scrub, and forest areas at elevations below 1,400 meters. Flowering from May to October, this plant produces small white flowers in narrow, occasionally dense inflorescences with involucres about 3 millimeters wide. Growing with stems 15 to 45 centimeters tall, it develops a distinctive white-tomentose foliage that often curls under. Its leaves range from 1 to 5 centimeters long, varying from linear to obovate shapes, and are persistently covered in white woolly hairs. The plant's delicate, silvery-white appearance makes it a striking component of dry, open landscape environments.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 13 sympatric species; small persistently white-woolly leaves distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: dry sandy soils, scrub, forest
Elevation: < 1400 m
Outside California: to Colorado, western Texas, northwestern Mexico
Bloom period
Artemisia ludoviciana subsp. albula blooms May-Oct.
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 ludoviciana subsp. albula native to California?
Yes. Artemisia ludoviciana subsp. albula is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Artemisia ludoviciana subsp. albula bloom?
Artemisia ludoviciana subsp. albula blooms May-Oct.
What plant family does Artemisia ludoviciana subsp. albula belong to?
Artemisia ludoviciana subsp. albula is in the Asteraceae family, genus Artemisia.
What habitat does Artemisia ludoviciana subsp. albula grow in?
Artemisia ludoviciana subsp. albula grows in dry sandy soils, scrub, forest.
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.