Artemisia tridentata

A large, aromatic, evergreen shrub with short, narrow, hairy, gray-green leaves that have 3 small lobes at the tip (FNA 2006).

Artemesia tridentata is much larger than most species in the genus. It's leaves are persistent and have lobes less than 1/3 the length of the leaf blade versus lobes greater than 1/3 the length on A. tripartita (FNA 2006). Unlike those of A. rothrockii, the leaves of A. tridentata are not sticky-resinous and are persistent.

This plant dominates hundreds of square km of sandy valley floors and plains above approximately 5000 feet elevation (Rhode, 2002). It is drought tolerant but cannot stand excessive sub-moisture. It grows on moderately shallow to deep, well-drained, sandy to silt loam soils of neutral to slightly alkaline reaction. It occurs on practically all range except meadows and at high elevations (USDA, 2010).

The Sage Grouse utilizes Artemesia tridentata as nest cover, shelter, and a food source. Because A. tridentata is evergreen, it is one of their most important food sources outside the growing season. Other species also depend on this species as a food source: elk, mule deer, pronghorn, and pygmy rabbits (Tirmenstein 1999).

Sagebrush species are associated with mycorrhizal fungus in the genus Glomus which may be required for the establishment of seedlings (Tirmenstein 1999).

Flowering mid summer to late fall (FNA 2006).

Basin big sagebrush reproduces from seed. Plants 2 to 3 years of age are capable of producing viable seed. Wind is the primary dispersal agent, although animal and water dispersal can also occur (animals as a minor dispersal agent when seeds are dislodged as the animals brush against branches; seeds contain a small air space which permits floatation in water) (Tirmenstein, 1999). Approximately 90% of big sagebrush seed is dispersed within 30 feet (9 m) of the parent shrub. Few seeds are carried more than 100 feet (30 m). Seed density declines rapidly away from the parent shrub, with maximum seed dispersal at approximately 108 feet (33 m). The rate of seed dispersal depends on wind and storm activity after seeds reach maturity. Rates of seed dispersal are slower in basin big sagebrush than in other subspecies. Seed dispersal takes approximately 8 weeks. Seed of basin big sagebrush is short-lived and lasts less than 5 years when stored in a warehouse. Some seedbanking occurs in other subspecies of big sagebrush, so seedbanking in basin big sagebrush is probable. Some basin big sagebrush seeds remained viable after prescribed burning in Utah. Emergence of basin big sagebrush seedlings on burned soil was reduced, however, compared to emergence of Wyoming and mountain big sagebrush. It was also reduced compared to emergence of basin big sagebrush on unburned control soil (Tirmenstein, 1999).

Basin big sagebrush doesn't resprout after fire or other disturbance (Tirmenstein, 1999).