Scabland Sagebrush
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(Artemisia rigida)
Scabland Sagebrush (Artemisia rigida)
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Nolan Exe
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Nolan Exe
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Nolan Exe | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Nolan Exe | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2022-03-31T20:56:34-07:00 |
Summary
Artemisia rigida, commonly known as scabland sagebrush or stiff sagebrush, is a perennial shrub native to the shrub-steppe ecosystems of the Columbia Basin in Washington, Idaho, and Oregon. It is adapted to harsh conditions, often found growing on basalt bedrock with shallow soil layers. This plant typically forms a low, spreading mound with woody branches that can reach up to 16 inches in length. The leaves are grayish, trident-shaped, and the plant produces inconspicuous bell-shaped flower heads with yellow-red florets during its flowering season.
Scabland sagebrush is valued for its ability to thrive in poor, rocky soils and its role in providing early spring forage for wildlife. It is often used in restoration projects to stabilize soils and reclaim disturbed lands. In gardens, it can serve as an interesting ground cover or component of a rock garden, requiring minimal maintenance. It prefers full sun and is drought-tolerant, requiring little to no supplemental watering once established. While not commonly affected by diseases, it can be susceptible to root rot in poorly drained soils.CC BY-SA 4.0
Scabland sagebrush is valued for its ability to thrive in poor, rocky soils and its role in providing early spring forage for wildlife. It is often used in restoration projects to stabilize soils and reclaim disturbed lands. In gardens, it can serve as an interesting ground cover or component of a rock garden, requiring minimal maintenance. It prefers full sun and is drought-tolerant, requiring little to no supplemental watering once established. While not commonly affected by diseases, it can be susceptible to root rot in poorly drained soils.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Shrub
- Height: 1.5-2 feet
- Width: 1.5-2 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Yellow
- Flowering Season: Summer, Fall
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Drainage: Fast, Medium, Slow
Common Uses
Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Erosion Control, Low Maintenance
Natural Habitat
Shrub-steppe ecosystems of the Columbia Basin
Other Names
Common Names: Stiff sagebrush, rigid sagebrush
Scientific Names: Artemisia rigida, Artemisia trifida var. rigida, Seriphidium rigidum
GBIF Accepted Name: Artemisia rigida