Bigelow sagebrush is a native woody shrub [19]. Growing from 12 to 16, rarely 24+ inches (30-40, rarely 60+ cm) tall at maturity [1,16,27], it is a dwarf sagebrush [1,2]. Form is rounded with multiple, recurved stems. Bark is shreddy. Leaves are evergreen, from 0.6 to 1 inch (15-25 mm) long and 0.08 to 0.16 inch (2-4 mm) wide [14,19]. The inflorescence is a dense panicle with 2 to 7 flowers per flowerhead [14,27]. Bigelow sagebrush is similar in appearance to short-statured big sagebrush plants, but is primarily distinguished from all other woody sagebrush species by its flowers [18,30]. Bigelow sagebrush is unique among the woody sagebrush species in having 1 to 3 pistillate ray flowers, although ray flowers are lacking on some plants [18,52]. Ray flowers are marginally located, while the inner 1 to 5 disc flowers are perfect and fertile. Bigelow sagebrush fruits are dry, glabrous achenes about 0.04 inch (1 mm) in length [14,27,35].
Stand structure of Bigelow sagebrush communities is poorly described in the literature. Biological soil crust cover is relatively high in Bigelow sagebrush communities compared to other woody sagebrush species [2].
Physiology: Bigelow sagebrush is one of the most drought-tolerant sagebrushes in North America [1,18,35,52].
Fire adaptations: As of this writing (2002), little is known of the fire ecology of Bigelow sagebrush. As a light-tolerant species [40] that reproduces solely from seed [1,52,60], Bigelow sagebrush may be similar to other woody sagebrush taxa, establishing primarily from off-site seed sources after fire. Much research is needed to understand the life history, successional status, and fire ecology of this species.
FIRE REGIMES of Bigelow sagebrush communities are not described in the literature. The following table provides some fire regime intervals for plant communities and ecosystems where Bigelow sagebrush is sometimes an important component of the vegetation. Find further fire regime information for the plant communities in which this species may occur by entering the species name in the FEIS home page under "Find FIRE REGIMES".
Community or Ecosystem Dominant Species Fire Return Interval Range (years) basin big sagebrush Artemisia tridentata var. tridentata 12-43 [45] Wyoming big sagebrush Artemisia tridentata var. wyomingensis 10-70 (40**) [54,61] saltbush-greasewood Atriplex confertifolia-Sarcobatus vermiculatus < 35 to < 100 desert grasslands Bouteloua eriopoda and/or Pleuraphis mutica 5-100 plains grasslands Bouteloua spp. < 35 blue grama-buffalo grass Bouteloua gracilis-Buchloe dactyloides < 35 grama-galleta steppe Bouteloua gracilis-Pleuraphis jamesii < 35 to < 100 blackbrush Coleogyne ramosissima < 35 to < 100 wheatgrass plains grasslands Pascopyrum smithii < 35 pinyon-juniper Pinus-Juniperus spp. 39] Colorado pinyon Pinus edulis 10-400+ [11,13,22,39] **meanBigelow sagebrush provides valuable winter and spring forage for wildlife and livestock. Productivity of Bigelow sagebrush communities is rated moderate relative to other sagebrush communities [18].
Bigelow sagebrush was the single most important item in the fall diet of pronghorn in northern Arizona [5].
Palatability/nutritional value: Palatability and nutritional value of Bigelow sagebrush are high relative to other sagebrush species [18,35,48]. Bigelow sagebrush twigs are less woody, and its leaves are less bitter and have a milder odor, than associated sagebrush taxa [26,35]. Near Price, Utah, chemical analysis of woody sagebrush species showed Bigelow sagebrush was low in 9 volatile compounds compared to 7 associated sagebrush taxa. Bigelow sagebrush, mountain big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana), and gray low sagebrush (A. arbuscula ssp. arbuscula) were the top 3 taxa preferred by mule deer in feeding trials [48]. Palatability of Bigelow sagebrush in Utah is rated as follows [9]:
cattle fair domestic sheep good horses poor pronghorn fair elk poor mule deer fair small mammals fair small nongame birds fair upland game birds good waterfowl poorCover value of Bigelow sagebrush is Utah is rated as follows [9]:
pronghorn poor elk poor mule deer poor small mammals fair small nongame birds fair upland game birds fair waterfowl fairBigelow sagebrush occurs in Colorado pinyon-oneseed juniper (Pinus
edulis-Juniperus monosperma), singleleaf pinyon (P. monophylla), and desert shrub communities
of the Sonoran, Great Basin, and Mojave deserts [6,17,21,31,35,43,58].
Desert shrub associates include
big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata), black sagebrush (A. nova), blackbrush
(Coleogyne ramosissima), saltbush (Atriplex spp.), and
broom snakeweed (Gutierrezia sarothrae) [20,31,35,37]. Larson and Moir
[26] describe a oneseed juniper/Bigelow sagebrush community type of northern
Arizona that may extend into southern Utah and southwestern Colorado.
Bigelow sagebrush also occurs in transitional desert shrub-desert grassland
communities. Associated species in northern Arizona and New Mexico include big sagebrush,
green rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus), green ephedra (Ephedra
viridis), fourwing saltbush (Atriplex canescens), galleta (Pleuraphis
jamesii), and blue grama (Bouteloua
gracilis) [5,30].
Associates in transitional Great Basin-Great Plains desert shrub-desert grasslands of
northern Arizona include fourwing saltbush, Fremont barberry (Mahonia
fremontii), blue grama, ring muhly (Muhlenbergia torreyana), and
bottlebrush squirreltail (Elymus elymoides) [44]. Jameson and others [17]
provide a vegetation typing of a Bigelow sagebrush-dominated community in northern Arizona.
Bigelow sagebrush reproduces from seed [1,52,60]. Little is known of the species' reproductive ecology. Further research is needed in this area.
Breeding system: Bigelow sagebrush is polygamomonecious [1,40]. Common garden and molecular genetic studies suggest ecotypic variation exists between Bigelow sagebrush populations [32,34].
Pollination: Pollen is spread by wind [40].
Seed production: No information
Seed dispersal: No information
Seed banking: No information
Germination: No information
Seedling establishment/growth: No information
Asexual regeneration: Bigelow sagebrush does not reproduce asexually [1,52,60].
