Figure 24. — Budsage 



(A. spinescens) growing 

 near Sevier Ldkebedy 

 Millard Co., Utah. 



Distribution and /zabt tat. --Timber line sagebrush covers approximately 27,200 hec- 

 tares (103 square miles) at between 2,600 and 3,350 meters (8,500 and 11,000 feet) in 

 elevation in high mountainous areas of central Colorado, western Wyoming, and the 

 central Sierras of California (Beetle 1960). This species is usually found growing in 

 deep soils along the margins of forests. This species, or a similar undescribed form, 

 is also found in other western States, particularly in the high mountains of Utah, Idaho, 

 and Nevada. A. rothroakii ' s type locality is the Monache Meadows, 2,600 meters (8,500 

 feet). Sierra Nevada Mountains, Tulare County, California (Hall and Clements 1923; 

 Beetle 1960) . 



[/se. --Timber line sagebrush is a palatable sagebrush, grazed heavily by big game 

 and livestock. It shows potential as low hedge for landscaping. 



Budsage is a low, spinescent, pungently aromatic, rounded shrub 1 to 5 dm high 

 (fig. 24). It is profusely branched from the base and has white-tomentose pubescence 

 on young twigs and leaves. This pubescence is grayish and stiff on older branches. 



Leaves are small, mostly 2 cm or less in length, including the petiole. Leaves 

 are 3 to 5 palmately parted, with the divisions again divided into 3 linear-spatulate 

 lobes (fig. 12c). Leaves are crowded on the short stems, with those near the apex 

 being smaller and more entire. Unlike most species of Artemisia , budsage is deciduous, 

 with tlie leaves falling by midsummer. 



Early in the spring, when budsage first shows signs of breaking dormancy, but 

 before the buds elongate, the bark from the last season's growth can easily be pulled 

 off. At this developmental stage, budsage is sought out by big game and livestock. 

 Sheepmen refer to this condition as "slipping." As early as February or March, new 

 bri glit-green leaves are produced. 



^Also called spring sagebrush and bud sagebrush. 



Artemisia spinescens Eaton (budsage") 



24 



