New Mexico State University
College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences | ACES
NMSU: Selected Plants of Navajo Rangelands

Selected Plants of Navajo Rangelands

Take care of our Navajo Rangelands

Sagebrush, black

Dusty green foliage on slender twigs

Black sagebrush is a low growing evergreen shrub with a flat-topped crown. Mature plants range from 4 to 12 inches tall. The leaves are dark green, sometimes grayish, and triangular in outline with three rounded lobes. The leaf surface is often covered with hair, which distinguishes this species from big sagebrush (A. tridentata). These hairs give the leaves a darker appearance.

Entire plant growing in situ
Growth habit of entire plant showing low shrubbiness
Another example of growth habit, this time show more erect stems and greater height
Slender twigs with tridentate foliage

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