Sagebrush

Sagebrush, common name applied to any of several related aromatic, bitter shrubs, native to the plains and mountains of western North America, but especially to the Great Basin, the extensive desert region west of the Rocky Mountains in the United States. Sagebrushes are some of the few woody members of their family (see Composite Flowers). The most common species in the United States is the common sagebrush, a many-branched plant that grows from 0.3 to 6 m (1 to 20 ft) in height. It has silvery, toothed leaves and terminal clusters of small, yellow flowers. A similar species, the low sagebrush, attains a maximum height of 30 cm (1 ft) and is abundant in the plains of Colorado and Wyoming. Sagebrush is sometimes used for fuel because it often grows in regions where there are few other woody plants. In some areas the foliage is used as winter forage. Overgrazing of native grasses has caused a proportionate increase in sagebrush.

Scientific classification: Sagebrushes belong to the family Asteraceae (formerly Compositae). The common sagebrush is classified as Artemisia tridentata. The low sagebrush is classified as Artemisia arbuscula.