Artemisia tridentata subsp. vaseyana
Mountain sagebrush, Mountain Sagebrush
Photo: parent species Artemisia tridentata · Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Artemisia tridentata subsp. vaseyana (Mountain sagebrush) is a native California shrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by high elevation, small size, and exposed inflorescence diagnostic.
Mountain sagebrush is a native shrub found in the Sierra Nevada, Transverse Ranges, Warner Mountains, northern eastern Sierra Nevada, and White and Inyo Mountains in dry mountain slopes at elevations of 1,800 to 3,000 meters. Flowering from August to October, this plant produces small yellowish or greenish flowers in narrow, compact clusters less than 30 centimeters long. Growing 50 to 100 centimeters tall with erect, woody stems that branch extensively, it forms a dense, rounded shrub. Its leaves are wedge-shaped, generally 2 to 3 centimeters long, with a distinctive grayish-green color and aromatic quality. The fruit is characterized by glandular surfaces, adding to the plant's unique texture and appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 18 sympatric species; high elevation, small size, and exposed inflorescence diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Common. Dry slopes
Elevation: 1800-3000+ m
Outside California: to Idaho, North Dakota, Colorado, New Mexico
Bloom period
Artemisia tridentata subsp. vaseyana blooms Aug-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 tridentata subsp. vaseyana native to California?
Yes. Artemisia tridentata subsp. vaseyana is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Artemisia tridentata subsp. vaseyana bloom?
Artemisia tridentata subsp. vaseyana blooms Aug-Oct.
What plant family does Artemisia tridentata subsp. vaseyana belong to?
Artemisia tridentata subsp. vaseyana is in the Asteraceae family, genus Artemisia.
What habitat does Artemisia tridentata subsp. vaseyana grow in?
Artemisia tridentata subsp. vaseyana grows in Common. Dry slopes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Artemisia tridentata subsp. wyomingensis — Wyoming sagebrush
- Artemisia tripartita ssp. tripartita — threetip sagebrush
- Artemisia annua — Sweet annie
- Artemisia arbuscula — Low sagebrush
- Artemisia arbuscula subsp. arbuscula
- Artemisia arbuscula subsp. longiloba
- Atrichoseris platyphylla — Gravel ghost
- Atrichoseris sp. — Gravel-ghost
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.