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Weyand, Phyllis

Artemisia frigida Willd.

Fringed sage, Prairie sagebrush, Prairie sagewort

Asteraceae (Aster Family)

USDA Symbol: ARFR4

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

This is a low-spreading, semi-evergreen shrub, with numerous stems arising from a woody base to 18 in. The deeply-divided, soft, woolly, gray-green leaves are fine-textured (almost hair-like) and aromatic. The pale yellow flowers and the fruit are rather inconspicuous.

Drought tolerant. A good soil stabilizer and ground cover. Important winter feed for Elk, Pronghorn, and deer. Pollen is a cause of hay fever. Edible herb, aromatic

 

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Subshrub
Root Type: Tap
Size Class: 1-3 ft.
Leaf Color: Gray-Green

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug

Distribution

USA: AK , AZ , CO , CT , ID , IL , IA , KS , MA , MI , MN , MO , MT , NE , NV , NJ , NM , NY , ND , PA , SD , TX , UT , VT , WA , WI , WY
Canada: AB , BC , MB , NB , ON , QC , SK , YT
Native Distribution: AK to e. WA & n. AZ, e. to WI & TX
Native Habitat: Open, high plains; alpine areas
USDA Native Status: L48(N), AK(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
CaCO3 Tolerance: High
Soil Description: Poor, dry soil.
Conditions Comments: Shear flower stems off to basal foliage to induce new growth and keep the plant in its prime. Drought tolerant. A good soil stabilizer and ground cover. Considered a weed in rangelands because it increases rapidly in heavily grazed areas. Pollen is a cause of hayfever.

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Important winter feed for elk and deer.
Use Food: Edible herb, aromatic
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Fragrant Flowers: yes
Interesting Foliage: yes
Fragrant Foliage: yes

Propagation

Description: Increase by division of mature plants, by rhizome cuttings or by layering. Seeds germinate well.
Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: Not Available
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

Additional resources

USDA: Find Artemisia frigida in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Artemisia frigida in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Artemisia frigida

Metadata

Record Modified: 2007-01-01
Research By: TWC Staff

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