BOTANICAL AND ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS
SPECIES: Artemisia longiloba | Alkali Sagebrush 



GENERAL BOTANICAL CHARACTERISTICS : 
Early sagebrush is a dwarf shrub up to 17 inches tall (45 cm) with
numerous spreading branches which frequently layer.  It has numerous,
large flowering heads.  The whole plant is a dark gray green.  The
leaves are broadly cuneate and are not persistent.

This shrub has been confused with silver sagebrush (A. cana) because of
the large flowering heads, big sagebrush (A. tridentata) because of the
broadly cuneate leaves, and low sagebrush because of the dwarf habit.
Yet early maturity, which prevents cross-breeding, and adaptation to
tight, heavy soils derived from alkaline shales distinguish early
sagebrush [1].

The name "alkali" sagebrush is misleading, because the shrub grows in
neutral soils as well as alkaline [18]; therefore, Blaisdell [5]
proposed "early" sagebrush as a more appropriate common name.


RAUNKIAER LIFE FORM : 
   Chamaephyte


REGENERATION PROCESSES : 
Early sagebrush produces a large quantity of achenes which are shed in
August [1].  Vegetative expansion occurs through layering [3].


SITE CHARACTERISTICS : 
Early sagebrush is adapted to drought conditions and is strongly
influenced by edaphic features [24].  Generally, it occurs in small,
sharply defined stands in shallow, poorly drained soils with dense clay
"B" horizons [20] at depths averaging 8 inches (20.3 cm) [21].

Early sagebrush forms pure stands adjacent to low sagebrush stands, bur
the two species also occur mixed.  The species cannot be separated on
the basis of leaf form or florescence; the difference in phenology is
the most reliable characteristic to use to distinguish the two shrubs
[6].

The elevational distribution of early sagebrush is generally 5,900 to
8,000 feet (1,800-2,440 m) [1] but varies as follows:
            
               nc CO     8,200 to 8,400 feet (2,500-2560 m)
                  OR     6,000 to 7,000 feet (1,800-2,130 m)


SUCCESSIONAL STATUS : 
Early sagebrush is an indicator of an edaphic climax and is a dominant
shrub in such stands.  Where soils have been mechanically churned, early
sagebrush is outcompeted by mountain big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata
ssp. vaseyana) [21].


SEASONAL DEVELOPMENT : 
New growth of early sagebrush begins in May, young heads appear in June,
and flowering and seed ripening occur in July and August; this is about
1 month earlier than for other low sagebrushes [1].

Related categories for Species: Artemisia longiloba | Alkali Sagebrush