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Wildlife, Animals, and Plants
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Introductory
SPECIES: Artemisia rigida | Stiff Sagebrush
ABBREVIATION :
ARTRIG
SYNONYMS :
Artemisia trifida var. rigida
SCS PLANT CODE :
NO-ENTRY
COMMON NAMES :
stiff sagebrush
scabland sagebrush
TAXONOMY :
The fully documented scientific name of stiff sagebrush is Artemisia
rigida (Nutt.) Gray.
LIFE FORM :
Shrub
FEDERAL LEGAL STATUS :
NO-ENTRY
OTHER STATUS :
NO-ENTRY
COMPILED BY AND DATE :
J. Hickerson 1986
LAST REVISED BY AND DATE :
NO-ENTRY
AUTHORSHIP AND CITATION :
Hickerson, Jody. 1986. Artemisia rigida. In: Remainder of Citation
DISTRIBUTION AND OCCURRENCE
SPECIES: Artemisia rigida | Stiff Sagebrush
GENERAL DISTRIBUTION :
Stiff sagebrush occurs on dry rocky soils in central and eastern
Washington, central and eastern Oregon, and adjacent parts of Idaho [7].
It is present throughout the Columbia and Snake River Basins and the
northern end of the Great Basin [12].
Many authors include western Montana in the distribution; Ward [13] and
Beetle [1] do not. Ward [13] claims the report of stiff sagebrush in
western Montana is the result of identification errors [11].
ECOSYSTEMS :
FRES21 Ponderosa pine
FRES25 Larch
FRES29 Sagebrush
FRES36 Mountain grasslands
STATES :
ID MT OR WA
ADMINISTRATIVE UNITS :
JODA
BLM PHYSIOGRAPHIC REGIONS :
5 Columbia Plateau
KUCHLER PLANT ASSOCIATIONS :
K011 Western ponderosa forest
K014 Grand fir - Douglas-fir forest
K050 Fescue - wheatgrass
K051 Wheatgrass - bluegrass
K055 Sagebrush steppe
SAF COVER TYPES :
237 Interior ponderosa pine
239 Pinyon - juniper
SRM (RANGELAND) COVER TYPES :
NO-ENTRY
HABITAT TYPES AND PLANT COMMUNITIES :
Stands of stiff sagebrush may occur next to stands of basin big
sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata), mountain big sagebrush
(A. tridentata ssp. vaseyana), or threetip sagebrush (A. tripartita).
The limitations are clearly edaphic [14].
Stiff sagebrush has been listed as an indicator or dominant species in
the following publications:
Steppe vegetation of Washington [5]
Plant communities of the Blue Mountains in eastern Oregon and
southeastern Washington [7]
Sagebrush-grass habitat types of southern Idaho [9]
Stiff sagebrush communities are often floristically diverse, yet often
look impoverished because of sparse vegetation and low ground cover
[5,6]. Common associated species include Sandberg bluegrass (Poa
secunda), bottlebrush squirreltail (Elymus elymoides), tapertip onion
(Allium acuminatum), bulbous woodlandstar (Lithophragma bulbifera),
biscuitroot (Lomatium spp.), spring draba (Draba verna), autumn
willowweed (Epilobium paniculatum), dwarf monkeyflower (Mimulus nanus),
Pacific fescue (Festuca pacifica), bighead clover (Trifolium
macrocephalus), and several mosses (Tortula spp., Bryum spp.,Ceratodon
spp.) [6]. Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) is a major increaser on
disturbed stiff sagebrush sites.
VALUE AND USE
SPECIES: Artemisia rigida | Stiff Sagebrush
WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE :
NO-ENTRY
IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE :
NO-ENTRY
PALATABILITY :
Stiff sagebrush is highly palatable to wildlife and livestock; the
flowering heads are particularly palatable [10]. This shrub is heavily
browsed by big game animals in winter even though the protein content is
relatively low [9]. Livestock consume stiff sagebrush when grass forage
is not abundant, and it is preferred by elk [5].
Stiff sagebrush is grazed primarily in late fall and early winter,
although sage grouse prefer it in the summer [11].
NUTRITIONAL VALUE :
NO-ENTRY
COVER VALUE :
NO-ENTRY
VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES :
NO-ENTRY
OTHER USES AND VALUES :
NO-ENTRY
MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS :
In the winter and spring when soil moisture is high and there is little
protection from surface runoff, trampling damage is severe [8]. Soils
are also subjected to frost heaving or frost boles, making successful
grass seeding highly improbable [6].
Because of the shallow rocky soils associated with stiff sagebrush, a
control program would not be beneficial. The most commonly associated
grass species, Sandberg bluegrass, would not be able to utilize the
additional soil moisture that would result from sagebrush removal, and
reseeding with wheatgrass (Agropyron spp.) would not be economical due
to the nature of the soils [9]. Stiff sagebrush should not be sprayed
because it is palatable to game and livestock and it reduces wind speed
over the shallow soil surface [7]. Reduction in cover would increase
thermal stress for small animals [6].
Although an increase in forage yield may not justify treatment costs,
severely disturbed sites do need attention. A program designed to
provide an open stand of sagebrush with a scattered understory of native
herabaceous species has been suggested [9].
BOTANICAL AND ECOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS
SPECIES: Artemisia rigida | Stiff Sagebrush
GENERAL BOTANICAL CHARACTERISTICS :
Stiff sagebrush is a low, spreading, winter deciduous shrub 12 to 16
inches (4 dm) tall, with a woody base. The trunk is irregular, branches
are densely clustered, short, rigid, and brittle [12]. The deciduous
leaves are silvery canescent, spatulate, mostly 0.4 to 1.6 inches (1-4
cm) long, and divided into three to five narrowly linear lobes. The
inflorescence is a leafy spike with heads sessile or in small clusters
in the axils of conspicuous leaves or bracts. The head is campanulate
with many canescent bracts. The heads consists of 5 to 15 perfect disc
flowers [1,11]. The species is not known to sprout from the root or
layer [2,11].
RAUNKIAER LIFE FORM :
Phanerophyte
REGENERATION PROCESSES :
Stiff sagebrush is not known to sprout from the root or layer [2,11].
Regeneration depends on a large production of achenes [1].
SITE CHARACTERISTICS :
Stiff sagebrush is restricted to shallow stony soils, 4 to 7 inches
(10-18 cm) deep [6], over balsaltic bedrock [5]. Soil textures vary
from loams to fine clay loams. Usually they are saturated with water in
winter and spring and are regularly subjected to frost heaving [6].
The distribution of stiff sagebrush and low sagebrush overlaps [8]. One
of the factors affecting this distribution may be winter light intensity
and quality. Stiff sagebrush is deciduous and can tolerate low light
intensities during winter months to a greater extent than low sagebrush.
Another factor affecting the distribution of the two species may involve
bedrock fracturing. Stiff sagebrush can become established in rock
fractures where moisture is available later in the summer season [9].
It appears that low sagebrush requires a greater soil depth [8].
The elevational distribution of stiff sagebrush is as follows:
se OR 3,500 to 6,000 feet (1,070-1,830 m)
ce OR 3,000 to 5,000 feet ( 900-1,500 m)
ce WA 3,000 to 5,000 feet ( 900-1,500 m)
ID 3,000 to 5,000 feet ( 900-1,500 m)
SUCCESSIONAL STATUS :
Obligate Climax Species
Stiff sagebrush is a climax sagebrush; in forest zones is an indicator
of an edaphic climax due to shallow soils [7].
SEASONAL DEVELOPMENT :
New growth of stiff sagebrush begins in June; young seed heads develop
in late July to August. Flowering occurs during September and October,
and seeds ripen in November [1].
FIRE ECOLOGY
SPECIES: Artemisia rigida | Stiff Sagebrush
FIRE ECOLOGY OR ADAPTATIONS :
Preliminary tests suggest that stiff sagebrush does not sprout after
clipping to a height of 1 to 1.5 inches (3-4 cm) [12]. Establishment
following fire depends on off-site seed.
POSTFIRE REGENERATION STRATEGY :
Secondary colonizer - off-site seed
FIRE EFFECTS
SPECIES: Artemisia rigida | Stiff Sagebrush
IMMEDIATE FIRE EFFECT ON PLANT :
Since stiff sagebrush does not sprout, it is likely that it would be
killed by most fires.
DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF FIRE EFFECT :
The sparse herbaceous understory of stiff sagebrush stands make them
practically immune to fire [12]; consequently they can be used for fire
control lines [3].
PLANT RESPONSE TO FIRE :
NO-ENTRY
DISCUSSION AND QUALIFICATION OF PLANT RESPONSE :
NO-ENTRY
FIRE MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS :
NO-ENTRY
REFERENCES
SPECIES: Artemisia rigida | Stiff Sagebrush
REFERENCES :
1. Beetle, A. A. 1960. A study of sagebrush: The section Tridentatae of
Artemisia. Bulletin 368. Laramie, WY: University of Wyoming,
Agricultural Experiment Station. 83 p. [416]
2. Blaisdell, James P.; Murray, Robert B.; McArthur, E. Durant. 1982.
Managing Intermountain rangelands--sagebrush-grass ranges. Gen. Tech.
Rep. INT-134. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service,
Intermountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. 41 p. [467]
3. Clifton, Nancy A. 1981. Response to prescribed fire in a Wyoming big
sagebrush/bluebunch wheatgrass habitat type. Moscow, ID: University of
Idaho. 39 p. Thesis. [650]
4. Cronquist, Arthur. 1955. Vascular plants of the Pacific Northwest: Part
5: Compositae. Seattle: University of Washington Press. 343 p. [716]
5. Daubenmire, R. 1970. Steppe vegetation of Washington. Technical Bulletin
62. Pullman, WA: Washington State University, College of Agriculture,
Washington Agricultural Experiment Station. 131 p. [733]
6. Dealy, J. Edward; Leckenby, Donavin A.; Concannon, Diane M. 1981.
Wildlife habitats on managed rangelands--the Great Basin of southeastern
Oregon: plant communities and their importance to wildlife. Gen. Tech.
Rep. PNW-120. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest
Service, Pacific Northwest and Range Experiment Station. 66 p. [786]
7. Hall, Frederick C. 1973. Plant communities of the Blue Mountains in
eastern Oregon and southeastern Washington. R6-Area Guide 3-1. Portland,
OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest
Region. 82 p. [1059]
8. Hironaka, Minoru. 1979. Basic synecological relationships of the
Columbia River sagebrush type. In: The sagebrush ecosystem: a symposium:
Proceedings; 1978 April; Logan, UT. Logan, UT: Utah State University,
College of Natural Resources: 27-32. [1155]
9. Hironaka, M.; Fosberg, M. A.; Winward, A. H. 1983. Sagebrush-grass
habitat types of southern Idaho. Bulletin Number 35. Moscow, ID:
University of Idaho, Forest, Wildlife and Range Experiment Station. 44
p. [1152]
10. Hopkins, William E.; Kovalchik, Bernard L. 1983. Plant associations of
the Crooked River National Grassland. R6 Ecol 133-1983. Portland, OR:
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest
Region. 98 p. [1193]
11. McArthur, E. Durant; Blauer, A. Clyde; Plummer, A. Perry; Stevens,
Richard. 1979. Characteristics and hybridization of important
Intermountain shrubs. III. Sunflower family. Res. Pap. INT-220. Ogden,
UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Forest
and Range Experiment Station. 82 p. [1571]
12. Tisdale, E. W.; Hironaka, M. 1981. The sagebrush-grass region: a review
of the ecological literature. Bull. 33. Moscow, ID: University of Idaho,
Forest, Wildlife and Range Experiment Station. 31 p. [2344]
13. Ward, George H. 1953. Artemisia, section Seriphidium, in North America:
a cytotaxonomic study. Contributions from the Dudley Herberium.
Stanford, CA: Stanford University, Natural History Museum; 4(6):
155-205. [2454]
14. Winward, Alma H. 1980. Taxonomy and ecology of sagebrush in Oregon.
Station Bulletin 642. Corvallis, OR: Oregon State University,
Agricultural Experiment Station. 15 p. [2585]
15. Bernard, Stephen R.; Brown, Kenneth F. 1977. Distribution of mammals,
reptiles, and amphibians by BLM physiographic regions and A.W. Kuchler's
associations for the eleven western states. Tech. Note 301. Denver, CO:
U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management. 169 p.
[434]
16. Eyre, F. H., ed. 1980. Forest cover types of the United States and
Canada. Washington, DC: Society of American Foresters. 148 p. [905]
17. Garrison, George A.; Bjugstad, Ardell J.; Duncan, Don A.; [and others].
1977. Vegetation and environmental features of forest and range
ecosystems. Agric. Handb. 475. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Forest Service. 68 p. [998]
18. Kuchler, A. W. 1964. Manual to accompany the map of potential vegetation
of the conterminous United States. Special Publication No. 36. New York:
American Geographical Society. 77 p. [1384]
19. Raunkiaer, C. 1934. The life forms of plants and statistical plant
geography. Oxford: Clarendon Press. 632 p. [2843]
20. Stickney, Peter F. 1989. Seral origin of species originating in northern
Rocky Mountain forests. Unpublished draft on file at: U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station, Fire
Sciences Laboratory, Missoula, MT; RWU 4403 files. 7 p. [20090]
21. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service. 1982.
National list of scientific plant names. Vol. 1. List of plant names.
SCS-TP-159. Washington, DC. 416 p. [11573]
Index
Related categories for Species: Artemisia rigida
| Stiff Sagebrush
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