Artemisia norvegica subsp. saxatilis
Alpine sagewort, Alpine Sagewort
(c) Matt Lavin, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Artemisia norvegica subsp. saxatilis (Alpine sagewort) is a native California subshrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by large nodding heads with black-margined bracts are distinctive.
Alpine sagewort is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, Sierra Nevada, San Jacinto Mountains, and White and Inyo Mountains on rocky slopes at elevations of 2,300 to 3,800 meters. Flowering from July to September, this plant produces small nodding heads with white to cream flowers approximately 7 to 11 millimeters in diameter. Growing 30 to 60 centimeters tall with loosely tomentose erect stems emerging from a branched caudex, it has a mildly fragrant character. Its leaves are intricately divided, with 1 to 2-pinnate segments forming narrow linear lobes 1 to 2 millimeters wide, creating a delicate, feathery appearance. The plant's phyllaries feature widely ovate shapes with scarious black margins, and it produces between 6 to 12 pistillate flowers and 30 to 80 disk flowers.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 16 sympatric species; large nodding heads with black-margined bracts are distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky slopes
Elevation: 2300-3800 m
California counties: Siskiyou, Alpine, El Dorado, Fresno, Mono, Mariposa, Tuolumne, Tulare, Madera, Placer, Trinity, Inyo, Amador
Outside California: to Alaska, northern Canada, Montana, Colorado
Bloom period
Artemisia norvegica subsp. saxatilis blooms Jul-Sep.
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 norvegica subsp. saxatilis native to California?
Yes. Artemisia norvegica subsp. saxatilis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Artemisia norvegica subsp. saxatilis bloom?
Artemisia norvegica subsp. saxatilis blooms Jul-Sep.
Where in California does Artemisia norvegica subsp. saxatilis grow?
Artemisia norvegica subsp. saxatilis occurs in Siskiyou, Alpine, El Dorado, Fresno, Mono, Mariposa, Tuolumne, Tulare and other counties, at elevations of 2300-3800 m.
What plant family does Artemisia norvegica subsp. saxatilis belong to?
Artemisia norvegica subsp. saxatilis is in the Asteraceae family, genus Artemisia.
What habitat does Artemisia norvegica subsp. saxatilis grow in?
Artemisia norvegica subsp. saxatilis grows in Rocky slopes.
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.