About Artemisia tripartita Rydb.
Artemisia tripartita Rydb. is an aromatic evergreen shrub that grows up to 2 meters tall. One of its subspecies, Artemisia tripartita subsp. rupicola (Wyoming threetip sagebrush), is a dwarf variety with decumbent branches. It spreads to roughly half a meter across, but only reaches about 15 centimeters in height. This species has woolly, three-parted leaves. It produces many seeds, and can also spread by sprouting from shallow roots and through layering. Where the ranges of Artemisia tripartita and Artemisia rigida overlap, the two species can be difficult to tell apart, since both have deeply divided tripartite leaves. Artemisia tripartita can usually be distinguished by shorter woolly hairs on its leaves (Artemisia rigida has long, silky hairs instead), longer and narrower leaf segments, and a generally taller growth habit. Two recognized subspecies have documented distributions: Artemisia tripartita subsp. rupicola Beetle is found in Wyoming and Colorado, while Artemisia tripartita subsp. tripartita occurs in British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, and Nevada. Ecologically, this plant is common and can become the dominant species in some regions, including Washington steppe, southern Idaho sagebrush, and western Montana grassland and shrubland. It tolerates dry soils very well.
