Artemisia nesiotica
Island sagebrush, Island Sagebrush, island sagebrush, island sagebrush
(c) Adam J. Searcy, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Adam J. Searcy · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Artemisia nesiotica (Island sagebrush) is a native California shrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by very low growth form and Channel Islands location.
Island sagebrush is a native shrub found in the southern Channel Islands on rocky slopes at elevations generally below 320 meters. Flowering from July to October, this plant produces small, subtle flower heads approximately 5 millimeters in diameter that are slightly nodding. Growing as a low, rounded subshrub less than 15 centimeters tall with slender, wand-like stems emerging from a brittle woody base, it has a soft, grayish appearance. Its leaves are pinnately divided, with few narrow lobes 1 to 3 millimeters wide, creating a delicate, canescent texture across the plant. The small resinous fruits, each 1 to 1.5 millimeters long, contribute to its distinctive compact growth form.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 6 sympatric species; very low growth form and Channel Islands location
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky slopes
Elevation: generally < 320 m
Bloom period
Artemisia nesiotica blooms Jul-Oct.
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
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 nesiotica native to California?
Yes. Artemisia nesiotica is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Artemisia nesiotica bloom?
Artemisia nesiotica blooms Jul-Oct.
What plant family does Artemisia nesiotica belong to?
Artemisia nesiotica is in the Asteraceae family, genus Artemisia.
Is Artemisia nesiotica rare or endangered?
Artemisia nesiotica carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S3.
What habitat does Artemisia nesiotica grow in?
Artemisia nesiotica grows in Rocky slopes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
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.