Your trip across Wyoming takes you through vast expanses of shrublands made up mostly of sagebrush. To the casual observer this landscape may appear desolate, but sagebrush shrublands are diverse and home to a variety of wildflowers, birds, and animals.
Wyoming has more sagebrush than any other state, occupying more than 50% of its lands. Different species of sagebrush have distinct elevation, soil, and moisture requirements. Of the 13 different types of sagebrush found in Wyoming, six of the most common species are shown below.
Leaves
All sagebrush species (except silver sagebrush) are evergreen. The aromatic leaves are covered with short, silver hairs—which reduce water loss and discourage insects. The leaves contain camphor and were used in traditional medicine to treat coughs, headaches, stomachaches, and fevers.
Flowers and Seeds
Sagebrush produces tiny 1/8-inch long flowers from August to September. It reproduces from seeds cast by wind onto moist soils in the winter.
Small Branches
Native Americans used smaller branches for weaving baskets and other household items.
Bark
Ute Indians wove the shredded bark into wicks for candles and made sacks of woven bark lined with grass.
Trunk
Woody part of the plant was burned for fuel and used to construct shelters.
Roots
The root system extends as much as six feet deep into the soil to access water during dry periods, and spreads widely around the plant to maximize water uptake during spring snowmelt.
Wyoming Big Sagebrush
Habitat: Dry areas with well-drained soils.
Elevation: Up to 8,000'
Height: 24-36"
Basin Big Sagebrush
Habitat: Well-drained soils, moderate precipitation.
Elevation: 3,000-7,000'
Height: 5-6'
Mountain Silver Sagebrush
Habitat: Along stream sides, edges of meadows, and snow bank areas.
Elevation: 6,000-10,000'
Height: 3-4'
Black Sagebrush
Habitat: Clay pan soils.
Elevation: 4,000-8,500'
Height: 4-12"
Mountain Big Sagebrush
Habitat: Well drained side slopes and ridges.
Elevation: 6,800-8,500'
Height: 3-4'
Alkali Sagebrush
Habitat: Dry areas where soils are alkaline and well drained.
Elevation: Up to 8,000'
Height: 10"
Food and Shelter
Sagebrush provides shelter, food, and nesting habitat for all types of wildlife including several species whose declining populations are of conservation concern. The leaves are a nutritious and essential food source for wildlife, especially during the winter. For species such as sage grouse and pronghorn, sagebrush makes up over 95% of their winter diet and 50% of the summer diet.
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