Artemisia nova aka Black Sage

Artemisia nova, or black sagebrush, belongs to the daisy family, Asteraceae. This small evergreen shrub comes from the western and west-central United States. Its range includes California, Nevada, Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming. It also reaches parts of Montana, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico. It grows on dry plains and hills. Recorded sites lie at 4,920–7,870 feet [1,500–2,400 metres] above sea level.

This woody, scented plant grows at a moderate rate. Most plants stand about 0.3–1 foot [0.1–0.3 metres] tall. Some reach roughly 1.6 feet [0.5 metres]. A short trunk supports a loose crown of spreading branches. The leaves stay on the plant throughout the year. Each flower has both male and female organs. Wind carries the pollen between flowers. The supplied evidence gives no flowering season or fruit details.

Black sagebrush suits a sunny bed with freely draining soil. It can also grow in light shade. Sandy and loamy soils both suit it. Soil near neutral or on the alkaline side works well. It can also cope with strongly alkaline ground. The plant shows an affinity for lime-rich soils. Established plants withstand drought, though the species accepts dry or moist soil. Poor, dry ground helps plants live longer and develop stronger scent. Such conditions also improve their cold tolerance. PFAF lists USDA hardiness zones 4–8.

Its small size and evergreen growth suit cultivated beds. Take care when cutting back its woody framework. This species does not send new shoots from a cut stump. Nor does it spread by rooting its branches through layering. Seeds offer one route to new plants. Sow them on the surface from late winter through early summer. Use a greenhouse and a mix that drains freely. Keep the seed mix from drying out during germination. Seeds may sprout within one or two weeks under warm greenhouse conditions. Grow seedlings under cover through their first winter.

PFAF records no known food uses for black sagebrush. It reports traditional use of boiled leaves for coughs, colds, and headaches. This record does not establish medical safety or effectiveness. The source reports no toxicity cases for this species. That absence does not prove it safe to eat. PFAF does not flag it as a weed.