Mountain Big Sage

Mountain Big Sagebrush (Artemesia tridentata vasseyena), also known as Vaseyana or “Vassey” Sagebrush. Adapted to well-drained medium depth soils on higher benches, upper mountain slopes and meadows. Palatability varies but generally poor for livestock and good for wildlife. Provides valuable cover for wildlife. Mountain Big Sagebrush blooms in the fall. It is distinguished by elevation of occurrence, and it’s distinct menthol odor. Tall, erect stems are generally flat or “butched” on top. Big sagebrush is perhaps the most important shrub on western rangelands. Evergreen leaves and abundant seed production provide an excellent winter food source to numerous species of large mammals including mule deer, black-tailed deer, white-tailed deer, elk, pronghorn antelope, bighorn sheep and jack rabbits. Nearly 100 bird species depend on sagebrush ecosystems for their habitat needs. Additionally, there are several animal species having an obligate relationship with big sagebrush including sage grouse, sharp tailed grouse, pygmy rabbits, sage thrashers, sage sparrows and Brewer‟s sparrow. Sagebrush also provides habitat and food for hosts of invertebrates which in turn support birds, reptiles and small mammals. In addition to the numerous species of animals that depend on sagebrush for food and cover, there are several plant species having close relationships with sagebrush as well. Mountain big sagebrush grows in mountain and mountain foothills from 2,600 to 10,000′. It occurs with rabbitbrush, piñon pine, juniper, mountain shrub, aspen, Douglas fir, ponderosa pine and spruce-fir habitats. Plants prefer moderately deep to deep, well-drained soils providing summer moisture. Mountain big sagebrush occurs at higher elevations and in higher annual precipitation zones than Wyoming or basin big sagebrush. Soils are typically 18 to 36 in deep or more, and are most often loamy to gravelly. Plants commonly grow in areas receiving over 14 inches annual precipitation but may be found in lower elevations and precip zones.