Common Name: Sand SageBrush

General Information

Artemisia filifolia is afreely-branching, round-headed shrub growing 60 - 180cm tall[]. The plant can be evergreen or deciduous, depending upon environment[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine. It is grown in soil reclamation and stabilization projects.

Known Hazards

Although we have seen no specific reports for this species, many members of this genus contain potentially allergenic sesquiterpene lactones that can cause skin reactions[].

Botanical References

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Range

Central and Southern N. America - Nebraska to Utah, Wyoming, Texas and Mexico

Habitat

Sandy soils[] in deserts[] and dry plains[]. Open prairies, dunes and sandy soils; at elevations from 500 - 2,000 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	1.20 m
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Artemisia filifolia is a plant of mainly sub-arid regions in southwestern N. America where it can be found at elevations from 750 - 2,300 metres. The mean annual precipitation can range from 200 - 600mm[].
Easily grown in a well-drained circumneutral or slightly alkaline loamy soil, preferring a warm sunny dry position. Established plants are drought tolerant[]. Plants are longer lived, more hardy and more aromatic when they are grown in a poor dry soil[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The plant is carminative and stomachic[, ]. A tea is used in the treatment of indigestion[]. An infusion of the plant and juniper branches is used in the treatment of indigestion[]. A strong infusion of the plant is used as a lotion on snakebites[, ]. The plant is also used to treat boils[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant is a very good indicator of deep, sandy soils[].
It can accumulate mineral nutrients well above levels found in the soils in which it grows, indicating it is adapted to soils of low fertility[].
Sand sagebrush helps prevent wind erosion by helping to stabilize light, sandy soils. The plant has been rated 'high' for soil stabilization and 'medium' for range restoration in Utah. It is recommended for restoration work in blackbrush (Coleogyne ramosissima), sand dunes, big sagebrush, and juniper-pinyon (Juniperus spp.-Pinus spp.) in decreasing order of preference[].
Sand sagebrush was tested for reclamation value at the Alton coal fields in Utah. Three years after being planted, the plant had a 75% survival rate and plants averaged 91.4cm in height with 106.7cm mean crown diameter. It is listed as a recommended 'secondary species' for reclaimed areas of the coal field[].

Other Uses

The leaves are very soft and have been used as a substitute for toilet paper[, ].

Propagation

Seed - surface sow from late winter to early summer in a greenhouse in a very free-draining soil, but make sure that the compost does not dry out. The seed usually germinates within 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. Plant them out in late spring or early summer.
Cleaned seed of sand sagebrush is very light, averaging 195,938 per ounce (6,910/gm)[].
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, mid summer in a frame.
Division in spring or autumn[].