Artemisia tridentata

Sagebrush

Artemisia tridentata, commonly known as big sagebrush, is a foundational perennial shrub of Western North American ecosystems. Renowned for its aromatic foliage and silvery-green leaves, this resilient species plays a vital role in desert landscapes, providing essential habitat, stabilizing soil, and offering medicinal properties used in traditional healing.

  • Scientific name: Artemisia tridentata
  • Family: Asteraceae
  • Native range: Northern America

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Asterales, it is classified under the family Asteraceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic designation is within the genus Artemisia.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Asterales WCVP
Family Asteraceae WCVP
Genus Artemisia WCVP

Common Names

This plant, known scientifically as Artemisia tridentata, is referred to by various common names depending on the linguistic and cultural context. In German, it is called Wüsten-Beißfuß (or Wüsten-Beifuss in Swiss German), while in Catalan, it is identified as artemisa tridentada. It holds significant cultural importance for Indigenous groups, who use names such as Vánó'êstse in Chy and Tsʼah in Navajo.
Language Common Name Source
de Wüsten-Beifuß Wikidata
de-ch Wüsten-Beifuss Wikidata
chy Vánó'êstse Wikidata
ca artemisa tridentada Wikidata
nv Tsʼah Wikidata
zh-hant 三齒蒿 Wikidata
zh-cn 三齿蒿 Wikidata
zh-hans 三齿蒿 Wikidata
he לענה משוננת Wikidata
zh 三齿蒿 Wikidata

Distribution

This plant is widely distributed across specific regions of North America. In Western Canada, its presence is noted within the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia. Moving into the Northwestern United States, it can be found spanning several key states. Specifically, its range includes the mountainous terrain of Colorado. Additionally, the species thrives throughout the landscapes of Idaho and Montana.

Region Area Source
Western Canada Alberta WCVP
Western Canada British Columbia WCVP
Northwestern U.S.A. Colorado WCVP
Northwestern U.S.A. Idaho WCVP
Northwestern U.S.A. Montana WCVP
Northwestern U.S.A. Oregon WCVP
Northwestern U.S.A. Washington WCVP
Northwestern U.S.A. Wyoming WCVP
North-Central U.S.A. North Dakota WCVP
North-Central U.S.A. Nebraska WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, commonly known as big sagebrush, is primarily utilized for its medicinal properties through the use of its aerial parts. These above-ground structures, which include the silver-gray leaves, woody stems, and flowering heads, contain the essential volatile oils and aromatic compounds necessary for therapeutic applications. When harvested, these aerial parts are often dried and used in infusions or topical preparations to harness the plant's potent chemical constituents.
Total parts
1
Scientific sources
1
Plant Part Sources Confidence
aerial parts 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Artemisia tridentata has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 131I.

Total chemicals
1
Scientific sources
1

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
131I 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Artemisia tridentata has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include listeriosis.

Total uses
1
Scientific sources
1

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
listeriosis 1 ★☆☆☆☆