Common Name: Threetip Sage Brush

General Information

Artemisia tripartita is a deciduous shrub usually growing 20 - 150cm tall, exceptionally to 200cm, though the dwarf subspecies rupicola only grows 5 - 15cm tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine, possibly as a food, and as a tinder.

Known Hazards

Many members of this genus contain contain potentially allergenic sesquiterpene lactones that can cause skin reactions. Although this species has been found to contain them, there have been no reports that it has caused dermatitis[].

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Western N. America - British Colombia, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Nevada

Habitat

Deep loam soils, usually igneous in origin; at elevations from 900 - 1,900 metres. Subsp rupicola is found in shallow rocky soils, grasslands; at elevations from 2,500 - 2,900 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	1.80 m
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Artemisia tripartita is found in areas where the mean annual precipitation is around 375 - 800mm[].
Easily grown in a well-drained circumneutral or slightly alkaline loamy soil, preferring a sunny position[, ]. Succeeds in most soils including those of low fertility[]. Plants are longer lived, more hardy and more aromatic when they are grown in a poor dry soil[]. Established plants are very drought tolerant[].
Plants resprout freely from the base after a fire[, , ].
The sub-species Artemisia tripartita rupicola is a dwarf form growing only 15cm tall, whilst Artemisia tripartita tripartita grows to 1.8 metres[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[].

Edible Uses

Leaves[]. No further details are given.

Seed[, , , , ]. No further details are given, but the seed is very small and fiddly to use[].

Medicinal

An infusion of the roots, or a decoction of the leaves and branches, is used in the treatment of colds, sore throats, tonsillitis, headaches etc[].

An infusion of the plant is used as a wash for wounds caused by the removal of corns[].

Other Uses

The bark is used as a tinder when making fires[].

Propagation

Seed - surface sow from late winter to early summer in a greenhouse in a very free-draining soil, but do not allow it to dry out. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 2 weeks in a warm greenhouse[]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter, planting them out in late spring or early summer.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, mid summer in a frame. Very slow to root[]
Division in spring or autumn.
Layering[].