Threetip Sagebrush

Scientific Name: Artemisia tripartita Rydb.

Plant Guide

Description

General: Threetip sage is a medium-sized shrub reaching 3 to 6 ft tall with silvery green herbage, similar to other members of the genus. The leaves are distinctly three-cleft with linear lobes (Welsh et al., 2003). There are approximately 2.2 million seeds/lb according to the PLANTS database (USDA-NRCS, 2019). There are two subspecies, threetip sagebrush (A. tripartita ssp. tripartita) and Wyoming threetip sagebrush (A. tripartita ssp. rupicola). Wyoming threetip sagebrush is a lower-growing, dwarf form with decumbent branches reaching 15 inches in height (Beetle, 1960). Distribution: Threetip sagebrush occurs in arid and semi-arid regions of western North America including parts of British Columbia, eastern Washington and Oregon, southern Idaho, northern Nevada and Utah, and western portions of Montana, Wyoming and Colorado. Wyoming threetip sagebrush occurs in arid portions of Wyoming and southern Oregon (Beetle, 1960; USDA-NRCS, 2019; Welsh et al., 2003). For current distribution, please consult the Plant Profile page for this species on the PLANTS Web site. Habitat: This species commonly occurs in dry plains and hills of the sagebrush steppe and grassland communities, often in association with big sagebrush (A. tridentata), bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata), and Sandberg bluegrass (Poa secunda). Threetip sagebrush often occupies sites slightly wetter or higher in elevation than Wyoming big sagebrush, but drier and lower than mountain big sagebrush (A. tridentata ssp. vaseyana) communities.

Adaptation

Threetip sagebrush is adapted to areas receiving 6 to 35 inches mean annual precipitation (USDA-NRCS, 2019). It is adapted to all soil textures and is most commonly found growing in soils with a pH range of 6 to 8.5 (USDA-NRCS, 2019). Threetip sagebrush generally inhabits somewhat moister or more favorable habitats than Wyoming big sagebrush (A. tridentata ssp. wyomingensis) (Cronquist et al., 1994).

Uses

Wildlife: Though there have been observed instances of mule deer and other large ungulates browsing on threetip sagebrush (Carson et al., 1987), its utilization is limited, and it is not considered a preferred source of food (Ogle and Brazee 2009). In Wyoming it is used sparingly during periods of food scarcity (Dittberner and Olson, 1983). It is rated fair in energy and protein value (Dittberner and Olson, 1983). Threetip sage is browsed by pygmy rabbits (Green and Flinders, 1980) and was rated as having high palatability for sage-grouse by Rosentreter (2004). Threetip sagebrush also offers food or shelter for numerous small birds and mammals (Stanton, 1974). Livestock: Three tip sage is unpalatable to cattle, but will be browsed by sheep (Brunner, 1972; Ogle and Brazee, 2009). Restoration: Threetip sagebrush is not difficult to establish by direct seeding or transplanting (McArthur and Stevens, 2004), but is rarely included in rangeland seed mixtures because of its low palatability to wildlife and livestock. Natural Resources Conservation Service Plant Guide

Ethnobotany

Threetip sagebrush was used medicinally by some native American tribes, Decoctions of leaves and branches or roots used to treat colds and other ailments by Okanagan-Colville tribe (Turner et al 1980), Infusion used by Navajo for headaches and washing wounds (Elmore, 1944), , Use soil moisture sensors to measure the soil moisture of Threetip Sagebrush.

Status

Threatened or Endangered: No. Wetland Indicator: No

Planting Guidelines

Threetip sagebrush establishes readily from seed or from transplanting (McArthur and Stevens, 2004). The full stand seed rate to deliver 25 to 50 seeds per square foot is 0.5 to 1 lb/ac. When seeded in a mixture, the seeding rate should be adjusted to the appropriate percentage of the full stand seeding rate. The seeding rate should be doubled for broadcasting or for critical area plantings. Transplants and bareroot stock can also be used to establish threetip sagebrush. These techniques should be considered for small critical area plantings and seed increase plots. Guidelines for related species of sagebrush indicate that transplanting should occur in early spring when moisture levels are optimum using 5 to 8-inch-tall stock that has been overwintered and hardened (Welch et al., 1994). A 0.5 to 1.0 ft² area should be cleared of competing vegetation at the planting site for best establishment.

Management

Threetip sagebrush typically increases in response to spring sheep grazing, but will decrease with heavy fall grazing, allowing grasses and forbs to increase (Ellison, 1960; Taylor, 1994). Threetip sagebrush will commonly sprout following mechanical disturbance such as cutting and mowing and less frequently following burning or chemical treatments (Beetle, 1960; Pechanec et al., 1965).

Pests and Potential Problems

There are no know pests or potential problems associated with threetip sagebrush.

Environmental Concerns

Concerns

Concerns

Threetip sagebrush is native to western North America. It will spread under favorable conditions but does not pose any environmental concern to native plant communities.

Control

Herbicides can be used to control threetip sagebrush; however, complete control is rarely achieved without multiple applications, and stands may return in higher density than previously (Schlatterer, 1973). Please contact your local agricultural extension specialist or county weed specialist to learn what works best in your area and how to use it safely. Always read label and safety instructions for each control method. Trade names and control measures appear in this document only to provide specific information. USDA NRCS does not guarantee or warranty the products and control methods named, and other products may be equally effective.

Seeds and Plant Production

Plant Production

Plant Production

Seed can be collected by shaking, beating or stripping the seed off the plants into containers. The raw materials can then be processed using a hammer mill or brush machine to dislodge the seeds from the flowering heads. Screen cleaners and air cleaners can then be used for final cleaning. Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area of origin) Limited quantities of wildland collected seed may be available from commercial sources. There are currently no commercial releases of threetip sagebrush. Seed sources should be selected based on the local climate, resistance to local pests, and intended use. Consult with your local land grant university, local extension or local USDA NRCS office for recommendations for use in your area.

Literature Cited

Beetle, A.A. 1960. A study of sagebrush. The section Tridentatae of Artemisia. Bull. 368. Laramie: University of Wyoming, Agricultural Experiment Station. 83p. Brunner, J.R. 1972. Observations on Artemisia in Nevada. Journal of Range Management. 25:205-298. Carson, R.G., and J.M. Peek. 1987. Mule deer habitat selection patterns in northcentral Washington. Journal of

Wildlife

Management. 51(1):46-51. Cronquist, A., Holmgren, A.H., Holmgren, N.H., Reveal, J.L. and P.K. Holmgren. 1994. Intermountain Flora, Vascular Plants of the Intermountain West, U.S.A. Volume 5: Asterales. The New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, NY. 496p. Dittberner, P.L., and M.R. Olson. 1983. The plant information network (PIN) database: Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming. Washington, DC. US Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service. 786p. Ellison, L., 1960. Influence of grazing on plant succession of rangelands. Botanical Review. 26(1):1-78. Elmore, Francis H., 1944, Ethnobotany of the Navajo, Santa Fe, NM. School of American Research, page 82 Green, J.S and J.T. Flinders. 1980. Habitat and dietary relationships of the pygmy rabbit. Journal of Range Management. 33(2):136-142. McArthur and Stevens. 2004. Composite Shrubs. In: S.B. Monsen, R. Stevens, and N.L. Shaw [compilers]. Restoring western ranges and wildlands. Fort Collins, CO: USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-136-vol-2. p. 493-537. Ogle, D., and B. Brazee. 2009. Estimating initial stocking rates. USDA-NRCS Technical Note No. 3. Boise, Idaho. 39p. Pechanec, J.F., Plummer, A.P., Robertson, J.H. and A.C. Hull Jr. 1965. Sagebrush control on rangelands. Agric. Handbook 277. Washington, DC: USDA. 40p. Rosentreter, R. 2004. Sagebrush identification, ecology, and palatability relative to sage-grouse. USDA Forest Service. In: Shaw, N.L., Monsen, S.B., Pellant, M. comps. 2004. Sage-grouse habitat restoration symposium proceedings. Schlatterer, E.F. 1973. Sagebrush species and subspecies. Range Improvement Notes. 18(2):1-11. Stanton, F. 1974. Wildlife guidelines for range fire rehabilitation. Tech. Note 6712. Denver, CO: USDI, Bureau of Land Management. 90p. Taylor, C.A. Jr. 1994. Sheep grazing as a brush and fine fuel management tool. Sheep Research Journal. 10(1):92-96. Turner, Nancy J., R. Bouchard and Dorothy I.D. Kennedy, 1980, Ethnobotany of the Okanagan-Colville Indians of British Columbia and Washington, Victoria. British Columbia Provincial Museum, page 79 USDA, NRCS. 2019. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov, 16 January 2019). National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC 27401-4901 USA. Welch, B.L., Briggs., S.F., and S.A. Young. 1994. Pine Valley Ridge Source-a superior selected germplasm of black sagebrush. Research Paper INT-RP-474. USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station, Ogden, UT. 9p. Welsh, S.L., Atwood, N.D., Goodrich, S., and L.C. Higgins. 2003. A Utah Flora. Third Edition, revised. Brigham Young University, Provo, UT. Citation Tilley, D and T. Pickett. 2019. Plant Guide for threetip sagebrush (Artemisia tripartita). USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, Aberdeen Plant Materials Center. Aberdeen, Idaho 83210. Published: February 2019 For more information about this and other plants, please contact your local NRCS field office or Conservation District at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/ and visit the PLANTS Web site at http://plants.usda.gov/ or the Plant Materials Program Web site: http://plant-materials.nrcs.usda.gov. PLANTS is not responsible for the content or availability of other Web sites. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees, and applicants for employment on the bases of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or employment activities.) If you wish to file an employment complaint, you must contact your agency's EEO Counselor (PDF) within 45 days of the date of the alleged discriminatory act, event, or in the case of a personnel action. Additional information can be found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_file.html. If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form (PDF), found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office, or call (866) 632-9992 to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, by fax (202) 690-7442 or email at program.intake@usda.gov.