California sagebrush
Artemisia californica

Family: Asteraceae.

Type: Drought-deciduous shrub.

Branching: Alternate.

Leaves: Leaves are dimorphic. Wet-season leaves are longer (relatively) and branched. Dry-season leaves are smaller and linear (unbranched), similar to the leaves of chamise. The number of branches is highly responsive to moisture availability, and the branched leaves will die or be dropped in the dry season. When new, leaves have a grayish color.

Twig: See below; not commented upon.

Fruit & Flower: Inflorescences are at the ends of branches.

Miscellaneous: California sagebrush is an aromatic. It is in the sunflower family. It is common in the scrub, particularly in the southern scrub (sage scrub). It resprouts rapidly after fire.





All photos and text ©2008 Ben Haller. Permission is granted to use and reproduce these photos for any non-commercial or non-profit use as long as this original copyright notice is retained.