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Threetip Sagebrush

Artemisia tripartita Rydb.

Description

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Shrubs, 5–15 or 20–150(–200) cm, aromatic; root-sprouting (caudices with adventitious buds, fibrous rooted). Stems pale gray, glabrous. Leaves deciduous, gray-green; blades broadly cuneate, 1.5–4 × 0.5–2 cm, deeply 3-lobed (lobes 1–1.4 mm wide, acute; cauline leaves smaller, mostly 3-lobed). Heads in paniculiform or spiciform arrays (5–)8–15(–35) × (0.5–)1–5 cm. Involucres globose or turbinate, 2–4 × 1.5–3 mm. Phyllaries broadly lanceolate (margins scarious, obscured by indument), canescent. Florets 3–11; corollas 2–2.5 mm, glandular (style branches included). Cypselae (columnar, unequally ribbed) 1.8–2.3 mm, glabrous or resinous.
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Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Boulevard, St. Louis, MO, 63110 USA
bibliographic citation
Flora of North America Vol. 19: 510, 512, 514, 515, 518 in eFloras.org, Missouri Botanical Garden. Accessed Nov 12, 2008.
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Synonym

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Artemisia trifida Nuttall, Trans. Amer. Philos. Soc., n. s. 7: 398. 1841, not Turczaninow 1832; A. tridentata Nuttall subsp. trifida H. M. Hall & Clements; Seriphidium tripartitum (Rydberg) W. A. Weber
license
cc-by-nc-sa-3.0
copyright
Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Boulevard, St. Louis, MO, 63110 USA
bibliographic citation
Flora of North America Vol. 19: 510, 512, 514, 515, 518 in eFloras.org, Missouri Botanical Garden. Accessed Nov 12, 2008.
source
Flora of North America @ eFloras.org
editor
Flora of North America Editorial Committee
project
eFloras.org
original
visit source
partner site
eFloras

Broad-scale Impacts of Plant Response to Fire

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More info for the terms: cover, density



In general, populations in eastern Idaho seem to have the greatest potential
for sprouting after fire. Populations
in southern Idaho's Snake River Plain seem to have low
sprouting potential and those in eastern Oregon have a moderate
potential for sprouting after fire [16].
However, Young [73] reported a strong sprouting response following fire
in parts of eastern Oregon. Overall, sprouting potential in
southern Idaho and eastern Oregon can range from "high" to
"nearly zero" [15]. In southwestern Montana, populations
tend to sprout readily after fire [16].


In a southeastern Idaho study, Akinsoji [1] observed no sprouting
1 year after fire. Lack of sprouting could have been due to the "intensity
of the burn." Similarly, Pechanic and others [47] reported
that only approximately 6% of threetip sagebrush sprouted in the
1st year or 2 after fire in a southeastern Idaho study.
At Craters of the Moon National Monument in southeastern Idaho,
only "moderate resprouting potential" was observed, and reductions
in cover and density usually occur after fire
[2]. Only a "small percentage of plants"
sprouted after fire in a northern Great Basin study [17].

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bibliographic citation
Tirmenstein, D. 1999. Artemisia tripartita. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/shrub/arttrp/all.html

Common Names

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threetip sagebrush

tall threetip sagebrush

Wyoming threetip sagebrush
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Tirmenstein, D. 1999. Artemisia tripartita. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/shrub/arttrp/all.html

Cover Value

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More info for the term: cover

Threetip sagebrush provides nesting cover for sage grouse in south-central Washington and in southern Idaho [29,34,60]. In Washington, threetip sagebrush/fescue (Festuca spp.) communities provide habitat for sharp-tailed grouse. Loess mounds in stands of tall threetip sagebrush provide a stone-free substrate for rodents and badgers [22].

The degree to which tall threetip sagebrush provides cover for wildlife species in Utah is as follows [25]:

Pronghorn fair Elk poor Mule deer fair Small mammals good Small nongame birds good Upland game birds good Waterfowl poor
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bibliographic citation
Tirmenstein, D. 1999. Artemisia tripartita. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/shrub/arttrp/all.html

Description

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More info for the term: shrub

Tall threetip sagebrush is a rounded, freely branching, native evergreen shrub that grows up to 6 feet (2 m) in height [3,38]. Leaves are long and deeply 3-cleft [5].

Wyoming threetip sagebrush is a dwarf shrub with decumbent branches. It can grow up to 59 inches (15 cm) tall, with a crown spread of 12 to 20 inches (30-50 cm) [3].

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bibliographic citation
Tirmenstein, D. 1999. Artemisia tripartita. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/shrub/arttrp/all.html

Distribution

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Tall threetip sagebrush ranges from central British Columbia south through central Washington and western Oregon to northern Nevada, and from western Montana south through eastern Idaho to northern Utah. It also occurs in the Snake River Valley in western Wyoming [3].

Wyoming threetip sagebrush occurs in central and southeastern Wyoming and southern Oregon [3,14]. In Wyoming, the subspecies are separated by the Continental Divide, with Wyoming threetip sagebrush occurring only east of the Divide [6].

Threetip sagebrush grows on approximately 8.4 million acres (3.4 million hectares) throughout the northern Rocky Mountains and Great Basin [11]. Occurrence is spotty throughout much of the Intermountain region because most of the area has been plowed for farmland [56].

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Tirmenstein, D. 1999. Artemisia tripartita. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/shrub/arttrp/all.html

Fire Ecology

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More info for the terms: cover, density, fire severity, severity

Threetip sagebrush exhibits variable sprouting abilities following fire. The specific response may depend on ecotypic differences or on fire severity [1,16]. In some instances sprouting is described as "weak," but in other cases, researchers have observed "prolific" or "vigorous" sprouting [1,3].

Nearly pure stands of threetip sagebrush can develop after stands are burned [46]. In southeastern Idaho, Barrington and others [2] report that without periodic fire, threetip sagebrush gradually increases in density and cover. In southern Idaho, threetip sagebrush reaches preburn levels within 25 to 40 years after fire [2]. Neuenschwander [45] reports recovery time of approximately 30 years.

Some species that dominate communities where threetip sagebrush occurs are listed below. To learn more about the FIRE REGIMES in those communities, refer to the FEIS summary for these species, under “Fire Ecology or Adaptations.”

big sagebrush
blue grama (Bouteloua gracilis)
Idaho fescue
bluebunch wheatgrass

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bibliographic citation
Tirmenstein, D. 1999. Artemisia tripartita. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/shrub/arttrp/all.html

Fire Management Considerations

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Because threetip sagebrush can sometimes sprout prolifically after fire, special management considerations may be required if reductions in sagebrush are desired management goals [71].

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bibliographic citation
Tirmenstein, D. 1999. Artemisia tripartita. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/shrub/arttrp/all.html

Growth Form (according to Raunkiær Life-form classification)

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More info for the term: phanerophyte

Phanerophyte
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bibliographic citation
Tirmenstein, D. 1999. Artemisia tripartita. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/shrub/arttrp/all.html

Habitat characteristics

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Threetip sagebrush commonly grows on steep slopes, rocky knolls, and windswept ridges with shallow soils [6,18]. It occurs in semi-arid areas which are characterized by cold winters and warm summers [11]. Tall threetip sagebrush is especially common along river drainages [6]. Wyoming threetip sagebrush occurs on shallow, rocky soils on barren knolls surrounded by well-developed grasslands [3].

Tall threetip sagebrush grows on moderate to deep, well-drained, loamy to sandy loam soils [26]. In western Montana and Idaho, it is associated with coarse-textured sandy to stony soils [41]. In Idaho tall threetip sagebrush is often associated with fertile volcanic soils [56]. Threetip sagebrush is tolerant of dry soils [23].

The elevational range of tall threetip sagebrush in several states is as follows [10,21,69]:

3,388 to 7,084 feet (1100-2300 m) in the Intermountain Region
6,500 to 7,000 feet (1980-2130 m) in Montana
4,697 to 5,636 feet (1525-1830 m) in Utah
6,000 to 7,000 feet (1830-2130 m) in Wyoming

The elevational range of Wyoming threetip sagebrush in Wyoming is from 7,000 to 9,000 feet (2,130-2,740 m) [3].

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bibliographic citation
Tirmenstein, D. 1999. Artemisia tripartita. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/shrub/arttrp/all.html

Habitat: Ecosystem

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This species is known to occur in the following ecosystem types (as named by the U.S. Forest Service in their Forest and Range Ecosystem [FRES] Type classification):


FRES29  Sagebrush

FRES38  Plains grasslands

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bibliographic citation
Tirmenstein, D. 1999. Artemisia tripartita. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/shrub/arttrp/all.html

Habitat: Plant Associations

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This species is known to occur in association with the following plant community types (as classified by Küchler 1964):


K038  Great Basin sagebrush

K050  Fescue-wheatgrass

K055  Sagebrush steppe

K056  Wheatgrass-needlegrass shrubsteppe

K065  Grama-buffalograss

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bibliographic citation
Tirmenstein, D. 1999. Artemisia tripartita. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/shrub/arttrp/all.html

Habitat: Rangeland Cover Types

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This species is known to occur in association with the following Rangeland Cover Types (as classified by the Society for Range Management, SRM):



322  Curlleaf mountain mahogany-bluebunch wheatgrass

324  Threetip sagebrush-Idaho fescue

404  Threetip sagebrush

416  True mountain mahogany

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bibliographic citation
Tirmenstein, D. 1999. Artemisia tripartita. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/shrub/arttrp/all.html

Immediate Effect of Fire

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Unlike many low-stature sagebrush communities, threetip sagebrush communities can support fire spread [12]. Fires often kill aerial plant parts. Threetip sagebrush is described as "severely damaged" by fire in parts of the Intermountain Region [13]. In Wyoming, threetip sagebrush is "moderately damaged" by fire [57] and in Idaho, plants are generally "harmed" by fire [45]. A fairly high percentage of threetip sagebrush is commonly killed by fire in southern Idaho; a small percentage may sprout [47,48].

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bibliographic citation
Tirmenstein, D. 1999. Artemisia tripartita. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/shrub/arttrp/all.html

Importance to Livestock and Wildlife

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Threetip sagebrush is not a preferred browse for most wild ungulates. Threetip sagebrush is used to some extent by mule deer in both summer and winter in north-central Washington [18]. In Wyoming, elk do not generally feed on threetip sagebrush [4]. In parts of Wyoming, Wyoming threetip sagebrush may be used by large ungulates as emergency winter forage [25].

Threetip sagebrush may provide some browse for domestic sheep but its value to cattle appears limited. It is "never used" by cattle in Nevada [14,52]. In British Columbia, threetip sagebrush may be browsed by domestic sheep, but is not used by cattle [19]. Threetip sagebrush, along with other species of Artemisia, is eaten throughout the year by the pygmy rabbit in southeastern Idaho [30]. In southern Idaho, sage grouse may include small amounts of threetip sagebrush leaves in their diet. The genus is, in general, used to some degree by sharp-tailed grouse, sage grouse, jackrabbits, chipmunks, ground squirrels, pocket mice, and kangaroo rats [58].

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bibliographic citation
Tirmenstein, D. 1999. Artemisia tripartita. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/shrub/arttrp/all.html

Key Plant Community Associations

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More info for the terms: codominant, forest, grassland, shrub, shrubland



Tall threetip sagebrush is commonly associated with bluebunch wheatgrass
(Pseudoroegneria spicata), Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis),
needle-and-thread grass (Hesperostipa comata), Sandberg bluegrass (Poa secunda), and Thurber's needlegrass (Achnatherum thurberianum). Common shrub associates of threetip sagebrush
include big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata), broom snakeweed (Guterrezia sarothrae),
green rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus), gray horsebrush
(Tetradymia canescens), and curlleaf mountain-mahogany (Cercocarpus
ledifolius) [55]. Stands of tall threetip sagebrush often occur adjacent to
mountain big sagebrush (A. t. spp. vaseyana)
stands [6], but usually on moister soils at higher elevations
[10]. Threetip sagebrush typically occurs at elevations above Wyoming big
sagebrush but below mountain big sagebrush [11]. Threetip sagebrush stands are often more uniform with plants more closely spaced than in big sagebrush stands [46].



Creative Commons photo ©2013 Dean Wm. Taylor, Ph.D.

Publications listing tall threetip sagebrush as a
dominant, codominant, or indicator species include the following:

Habitat types of the Curlew National Grassland, Idaho [20]

Steppe vegetation of Washington [22]

Wildlife habitat on managed rangelands--the Great Basin of southeastern
Oregon: plant communities

    and their importance to wildlife [24]

Sagebrush-grass habitat types of southern Idaho [31]

An ecological study of sagebrush in interior British Columbia [36]

Plant communities of the Similkameen Valley, British Columbia [40]

Grassland and shrubland habitat types of western Montana [42]

An area of pristine vegetation in Craters of the Moon National Monument, Idaho [63]

Wyoming threetip sagebrush: This taxon commonly occurs with slimstem muhly (Muhlenberia filiculmis) [62].
The following publication lists Wyoming threetip sagebrush as a dominant species:

Grassland and shrubland habitat types of the Shoshone National Forest [64]

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Tirmenstein, D. 1999. Artemisia tripartita. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/shrub/arttrp/all.html

Life Form

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More info for the term: shrub

shrub
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Tirmenstein, D. 1999. Artemisia tripartita. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/shrub/arttrp/all.html

Management considerations

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More info for the term: forb



Tall threetip sagebrush can sprout after burning, clipping, or
chemical treatment; periodic treatment, with
proper grazing management during treatment intervals, may be
necessary if sagebrush reduction is desired [6]. Often,
mechanical control measures, such as cutting or beating, are only
partially successful due to the low spreading branches and a
proclivity to sprout. Root cutters can be effective in reducing numbers but
work best on level rock-free ground [48]. Threetip sagebrush is
described as "moderately susceptible" to defoliation
during the fall and winter [11].



Various herbicides can be used to reduce threetip sagebrush, with
reductions of up to 50 to 70% reported during the 2nd growing season
[44]. However, herbicide treatments often are expensive and
can produce only temporary reductions in threetip sagebrush.
Even after large reductions are obtained with herbicides, threetip
sagebrush often seeds back within 5 to 10 years [52]. In
some cases, plants may sprout after herbicide applications
[10,52]. Often the stands that develop are denser than prior to herbicide application
[52]. Details on herbicide applications are available [44].



Individual longevity of threetip sagebrush is reduced by grazing in sagebrush-grass
communities of south-central Utah [70]. In eastern Idaho, tall threetip sagebrush increases in response to heavy
spring domestic sheep use [26]. Fall sheep use can, by contrast,
result in decreases of tall threetip sagebrush [26,43,67].
Heavy fall sheep grazing with light grazing in spring under a
rotational system can increase grass and forb production [26,61].



Sandberg bluegrass (Poa secunda) and Kentucky bluegrass
(P. pratensis) are common increasers in tall threetip
sagebrush stands [71]. As badgers dig rodents from loess mounds
in tall threetip sagebrush stands, the soil is churned and
invasion of basin wildrye (Leymus cinereus) may also be favored [22].

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Tirmenstein, D. 1999. Artemisia tripartita. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/shrub/arttrp/all.html

Nutritional Value

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Tall threetip sagebrush is rated fair in energy and protein
value and is listed as slightly toxic to livestock [25].
Nutritional values (%) for both subspecies in Wyoming are listed below [3]:
Date Crude Crude Crude Ash CaO Mg
protein fat fiber
Tall threetip sagebrush
6/12/57 13.00 10.12 21.58 6.85 0.770 0.185
7/15/58 4.17 1.45 51.88 4.49 0.45 ---
7/17/58 11.54 12.56 14.94 5.92 0.66 ---
7/19/57 11.00 12.10 20.53 6.90 0.98 0.207
11/10/57 8.63 8.22 28.67 4.75 0.755 0.142
Wyoming threetip sagebrush
5/29/57 10.19 5.72 28.03 12.03 1.205 0.176
11/10/57 7.44 9.46 31.17 4.58 0.839 0.170

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Tirmenstein, D. 1999. Artemisia tripartita. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/shrub/arttrp/all.html

Occurrence in North America

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ID  MT  NV  OR  UT  WA  WY

BC

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Tirmenstein, D. 1999. Artemisia tripartita. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/shrub/arttrp/all.html

Palatability

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Threetip sagebrush is one of the least palatable species
within the genus to both livestock and wildlife [3]. However,
palatability of tall threetip sagebrush is quite variable. Some
plants may be heavily browsed, while others are barely touched [72].
Palatability may vary by form and/or population [38,51]. A hybrid between threetip
sagebrush and Wyoming big sagebrush is important and
palatable forage in some parts of south-central and
southeastern Idaho [52].

Subspecies: Wyoming threetip sagebrush is rated poor in palatability to cattle,
domestic sheep, and horses in Wyoming. Palatability of tall threetip sagebrush is rated as follows [25]: UT WY
Cattle poor fair
Sheep fair good
Horses poor fair
Pronghorn fair ----
Elk fair ----
Mule deer fair ----
Small mammals fair ----
Small nongame birds fair ----
Upland game birds good ----
Waterfowl poor ----

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Tirmenstein, D. 1999. Artemisia tripartita. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/shrub/arttrp/all.html

Phenology

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More info for the terms: phenology, seed

Threetip sagebrush begins new growth in May, young flowerheads develop in July, and flowering occurs during August and October. In Wyoming, tall threetip sagebrush flowers from June to September, with August as the most common flowering period [25]. Seed ripens in October [3].

In eastern Idaho phenological development of threetip sagebrush is as follows [8,72]:

Dates for various stages in 1965 Average dates for 1941-1947 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- leaf growth started Apr 25 April twig growth started May 25 mid-June flowerbuds evident Jun 20 ------ flowerstalk growth Jul 20 ------ stopped first bloom Sept 1 ------ full bloom ------ mid-Sept blooming over Sept 20 ------ seed ripe Oct 12 mid-Oct seed disseminated Nov 05 ------ previous year's leaves begin to drop Aug 05 ------ previous year's leaves Sep 02 ------ off Average phenology for tall threetip sagebrush from the upper Snake River Plain in southern Idaho was as follows [9]: leaf growth twig growth flower buds 1st full starts starts visible bloom bloom 4/20 6/25 6/17 9/15 9/18 bloom seed leaves over ripe drying 9/30 10/14 7/30

Wyoming threetip sagebrush blooms in late August and September; the seeds ripen in October [3].

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Tirmenstein, D. 1999. Artemisia tripartita. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/shrub/arttrp/all.html

Plant Response to Fire

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More info for the term: root crown

Threetip sagebrush may sprout from the root crown and/or roots after fire [19,38,48]. Beetle [3] observed that tall threetip sagebrush sometimes sprouts "vigorously" from the root crown following fire, and sprouting from lateral roots has been reported [15,68].

Sprouting ability varies considerably with geographic location which suggests that several ecotypes may exist [3,14,16]. For threetip sagebrushes with the ability to sprout, sprouting is most likely if postfire soils are moist [73].  

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Tirmenstein, D. 1999. Artemisia tripartita. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/shrub/arttrp/all.html

Post-fire Regeneration

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More info for the terms: fire regime, root crown, secondary colonizer, seed, shrub

Small shrub, adventitious-bud root crown
Secondary colonizer - off-site seed

FIRE REGIMES: Find fire regime information for the plant communities in which this species may occur by entering the species name in the FEIS home page under "Find FIRE REGIMES".

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bibliographic citation
Tirmenstein, D. 1999. Artemisia tripartita. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/shrub/arttrp/all.html

Regeneration Processes

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More info for the terms: density, root crown, seed, stratification

Threetip sagebrush may sprout; sprouting ability varies by geographic location which suggests ecotypic variation [2]. Both subspecies of threetip sagebrush "occasionally sprout" [9] from shallow, lateral roots or the root crown [22,38].

The light seed of threetip sagebrush is wind-dispersed [49]. Both tall threetip sagebrush and Wyoming threetip sagebrush are vigorous seeders [39]. Threetip sagebrush can seed back onto disturbed sites within 5 to 10 years; density increases after treatment by herbicides [53].

Germination of threetip sagebrush is described as "moderate to rapid" [73]. In germination experiments, germination of tall threetip sagebrush increased progressively with increased stratification. Germination is greatest at approximately 60o Fahrenheit (16oC). Details on germination techniques for threetip sagebrush are available [36]. Threetip sagebrush seed can remain viable for 4 to 6 years in storage [54].

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Tirmenstein, D. 1999. Artemisia tripartita. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/shrub/arttrp/all.html

Regional Distribution in the Western United States

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This species can be found in the following regions of the western United States (according to the Bureau of Land Management classification of Physiographic Regions of the western United States):



 5 Columbia Plateau

 6 Upper Basin and Range

 8 Northern Rocky Mountains

 9 Middle Rocky Mountains

10 Wyoming Basin

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Tirmenstein, D. 1999. Artemisia tripartita. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/shrub/arttrp/all.html

Successional Status

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More info for the terms: climax, grassland, herbaceous

Threetip sagebrush occurs in a number of undisturbed communities. It occurs with Idaho fescue in climax steppe communities of eastern Washington [23]. In southeastern Idaho, tall threetip sagebrush is common in late successional communities [32]. Wyoming threetip sagebrush is described as an indicator of climax in some Wyoming big sagebrush communities [64]. Although tall threetip sagebrush grows in undisturbed communities, it has established on disturbed sites within 5 to 10 years. Tall threetip sagebrush increases in the absence of disturbance such as fire [2].

Tall threetip sagebrush, along with fringed sagebrush (Artemisia frigida), often replaces big sagebrush following fire in grassland communities of British Columbia [19]. Under heavy disturbance, tall threetip sagebrush stands may become dense brush fields, with tall threetip sagebrush crowding out herbaceous understory species [71].

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bibliographic citation
Tirmenstein, D. 1999. Artemisia tripartita. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/shrub/arttrp/all.html

Taxonomy

provided by Fire Effects Information System Plants



The fully documented scientific name of threetip sagebrush is
Artemisia tripartita Rydb. (Asteraceae) [3,21,33].
Two subspecies of threetip sagebrush are currently recognized:
tall threetip sagebrush (Artemisia tripartita subsp. tripartita)
and Wyoming threetip sagebrush (Artemisia tripartita subsp. rupicola Beetle) [3,33].



Threetip sagebrush occasionally hybridizes with silver sagebrush (A. cana subsp.
viscidula) [3]. Hybridization with Wyoming big
sagebrush (A. tridentata subsp. wyomingensis) may also occur in parts of south-central and
southeastern Idaho [52]. In some areas, threetip sagebrush
may intergrade with low sagebrush (A. arbuscula subsp.
arbuscula) [3].

 

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cc-publicdomain
bibliographic citation
Tirmenstein, D. 1999. Artemisia tripartita. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/shrub/arttrp/all.html

Value for rehabilitation of disturbed sites

provided by Fire Effects Information System Plants
More info for the terms: layering, seed

Threetip sagebrush can be successfully planted onto disturbed sites. Plants may be propagated through seed or by layering. Details on specific planting techniques are available [54].

According to McArthur [37], artificial hybrids of the drought-tolerant silver sagebrush (A. cana) and fire-tolerant threetip sagebrush may "hold some promise of rebuilding a badly damaged ecosystem."

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bibliographic citation
Tirmenstein, D. 1999. Artemisia tripartita. In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). Available: https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/shrub/arttrp/all.html

Comprehensive Description

provided by North American Flora
Artemisia tripartita Rydb. Mem. N. Y. Bot. Gard. 1: 432 1900.
Artemisia trifid" Nutt. Trans. Am. Phil. Soc. II. 7: 398. 1841. Not A. trifida Turcz. 1832.
A low shrub, 2-6 dm. high, much branched; bark grayish; leaves canescent, 1-4 cm. long, deeply 3-cleft into linear or narrowly linear-oblanceolate divisions, or the upper entire and linear; heads numerous in narrow leafy panicles; involucre campanulate, about 3.5 mm. high and 2 mm. broad, canescent; bracts 12-15, the outer ovate, thick, fully one third as long as the innermost; inner bracts oblong, scarious; flowers 6-8; corollas trumpet-shaped, 2 mm. long, sparingly glandular-granuliferous; style not exserted; achenes 1.5 mm. long.
Type locality: Plains of the Rocky Mountains.
Distribution: Montana to Colorado, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington.
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bibliographic citation
Per Axel Rydberg. 1916. (CARDUALES); CARDUACEAE; TAGETEAE, ANTHEMIDEAE. North American flora. vol 34(3). New York Botanical Garden, New York, NY
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North American Flora

Artemisia tripartita

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Artemisia tripartita is a species of flowering plant in the aster family known by the common name threetip sagebrush.[1] It is native to western North America from British Columbia to Nevada and Montana to Colorado.[2] It covers about 8.4 million acres (3.4 million hectares) of the Rocky Mountains and Great Basin.[3]

Ecology

This plant is common and can be dominant in some regions, including the steppe of Washington, the sagebrush of southern Idaho, and the grassland and shrubland in western Montana. It tolerates dry soils well.[3]

Description

This plant is an evergreen shrub up to 2 meters tall. The subspecies rupicola (Wyoming threetip sagebrush) is a dwarf subspecies with decumbent branches, spreading to about half a meter but growing only about 15 centimeters tall. The wooly leaves are three-parted. The plant produces many seeds. It can also spread by sprouting from shallow roots and by layering.[3] The plant is aromatic.[1] Where their ranges overlaps, this species can be hard to distinguish from Artemisia rigida which also has deeply divided tripartite leaves. A. tripartita typically has shorter woolly hair on the leaves (long and silky in A. rigida), the leaf parts are usually longer and narrower, and it often grows taller.

Subspecies[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Flora of North America, Three-tipped sagebrush, Artemisia tripartita Rydberg
  2. ^ Biota of North America Program 2014 county distribution map
  3. ^ a b c Tirmenstein, D. 1999. Artemisia tripartita In: Fire Effects Information System, [Online]. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory.

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Artemisia tripartita: Brief Summary

provided by wikipedia EN

Artemisia tripartita is a species of flowering plant in the aster family known by the common name threetip sagebrush. It is native to western North America from British Columbia to Nevada and Montana to Colorado. It covers about 8.4 million acres (3.4 million hectares) of the Rocky Mountains and Great Basin.

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