Artemisia tridentata subsp. wyomingensis
Wyoming sagebrush, Wyoming Sagebrush
Photo: parent species Artemisia tridentata · Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Asteraceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Artemisia tridentata subsp. wyomingensis (Wyoming sagebrush) is a native California shrub in the Asteraceae family, recognized by very small size and twiggy appearance diagnostic.
Wyoming sagebrush is a California native shrub found in the Great Basin bioregion in valley and slope habitats at elevations below 2,200 meters. Flowering from August to November, this plant produces yellow-green flowers in narrow clusters surrounded by short, persistent vegetative branches. Growing to less than 4 decimeters tall, it develops a compact, twiggy appearance with stiffly spreading branches. Its leaves are small, generally less than 1.2 centimeters long, with distinctive wedge- to fan-shaped blades that contribute to its characteristic dense form. The fruit is glandular, adding to the plant's unique texture and appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 14 sympatric species; very small size and twiggy appearance diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Valleys, slopes
Elevation: < 2200 m
Outside California: to Idaho, Wyoming, New Mexico
Bloom period
Artemisia tridentata subsp. wyomingensis 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 tridentata subsp. wyomingensis native to California?
Yes. Artemisia tridentata subsp. wyomingensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Artemisia tridentata subsp. wyomingensis bloom?
Artemisia tridentata subsp. wyomingensis blooms Aug-Nov.
What plant family does Artemisia tridentata subsp. wyomingensis belong to?
Artemisia tridentata subsp. wyomingensis is in the Asteraceae family, genus Artemisia.
What habitat does Artemisia tridentata subsp. wyomingensis grow in?
Artemisia tridentata subsp. wyomingensis grows in Uncommon. Valleys, slopes.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Artemisia tripartita ssp. tripartita — threetip sagebrush
- Artemisia annua — Sweet annie
- Artemisia arbuscula — Low sagebrush
- Artemisia arbuscula subsp. arbuscula
- Artemisia arbuscula subsp. longiloba
- Artemisia biennis — Biennial wormwood
- Atrichoseris platyphylla — Gravel ghost
- Atrichoseris sp. — Gravel-ghost
- Baccharis brachyphylla — Short leaved baccharis
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.