Asteraceae : Artemisia cana
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Family Name
Asteraceae
Common Name
Dwarf Sagebrush, Silver Sagebrush
Native American Name
Lakota: pȟeží ȟóta tȟotȟó
Description
Artemisia cana is perennial aromatic shrub mostly growing to < 1 m tall, but occasionally taller. The older stems become twisted with exfoliating bark and the younger stems are greenish, covered with grayish hairs. The lanceolate leaves are narrow, ranging from 2-9 cm in length, not often more than 5 mm wide, have a silvery gray pubescence and are retained year-round. The inflorescence is a series of spike-like, leafy panicles of small heads. The involucre is 4-5 mm long and has a naked receptacle. The several tiny disk flowers are all perfect producing small dark achenes. Silver sagebrush bloom in August and September and can be found in both east and west river South Dakota.
Horticulture Notes
Seed Collection: Seeds mature in late fall and are easily harvested when achenes begin to drop.
Seed germination: Seeds can be planted outside in the fall or soaked for 24 hours in water before planting in the spring. Seed viability varies greatly from sight to sight.
Vegetative propagation: Difficult to propagate from cuttings and usually grown from seed.
Light: Full sun.
Soil: Rocky, well drained soils.
Water: Do best if allowed to dry between watering.
Additional Notes
Silver sagebrush is an attractive small shrub and attracts several native bee species. It requires some care to remove dead branches to maintain an actively growing specimen.