Phonetic Spelling
ar-teh-MEE-zee-uh kal-ih-FOR-nih-kuh
Common Names
- California Sagebrush
- Cowboy Cologne
- Coastal Sagebrush
Appearance
- Size: Grows 3 to 5 feet tall and wide.
- Leaves: Soft, slender, and thread-like with a silvery-green hue, highly aromatic when crushed.
- Flowers: Small, inconspicuous yellow to pale cream flowers that bloom in late summer and fall.
- Growth Habit: A sprawling, bushy shrub with a woody base.
Habitats
- Native to coastal sage scrub habitats in California and Baja California.
- Found on dry slopes, chaparral areas, and open grasslands.
- Thrives in arid and semi-arid climates with low rainfall.
Environmental Impacts
- Wildfire Recovery: Plays a vital role in stabilizing soil after fires, reducing erosion in burned areas.
- Ecosystem Support: Serves as habitat and forage for native wildlife, including pollinators, small mammals, and birds.
- Drought Resistance: An essential component of water-efficient landscapes in its native range.
Growth Factors
- Sunlight: Prefers full sun to thrive.
- Soil: Adaptable to poor, sandy, or rocky soils but requires excellent drainage.
- Water: Extremely drought-tolerant once established; overwatering can harm its roots.
- Temperature: Hardy in USDA zones 8–11, tolerating heat and periodic cold snaps.
Fun Facts
- Natural Air Freshener: Nicknamed “Cowboy Cologne” because cowboys used it to mask odors by rubbing it on their clothes.
- Wildfire Adaptation: While the plant often burns, its seeds are stimulated by fire and germinate in cleared soil. Hence why they will be helpful in secondary succession after the LA fires.
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