Practical
Plants

Artemisia tripartita

Threetip Sage Brush

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Woodiness
woody
Height
1.8 m
Fertility
Wind
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Wind

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

Although no reports of toxicity have been seen for this species, skin contact with some members of this genus can cause dermatitis or other allergic reactions in some people[7].

Edible uses

Leaves[13]. No further details are given. Seed[11][13][2][4][10]. No further details are given, but the seed is very small and fiddly to use[K].

Plant part
Leaves
Plant part
Seed

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

An infusion of the roots, or a decoction of the leaves and branches, is used in the treatment of colds, sore throats, tonsillitis, headaches etc[10]. An infusion of the plant is used as a wash for wounds caused by the removal of corns[10].

Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Vulnerary

Material uses

The bark is used as a tinder when making fires[10].

Product or use
Tinder

Environment

Range
North-western N. America.
Habitat
Dry plains and hills, often in somewhat moister or more favoured sites or at slightly higher elevations than A. tridentata to which it is akin[12].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
drought
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

Seed - surface sow from late winter to early summer in a greenhouse in a very free-draining soil, but do not allow it to dry out. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 2 weeks in a warm greenhouse[5]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter, planting them out in late spring or early summer. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Very slow to root[3] Division in spring or autumn. Layering[5].

Cultivation

Easily grown in a well-drained circumneutral or slightly alkaline loamy soil, preferring a sunny position[1][6]. Succeeds in most soils including those of low fertility[5]. Plants are longer lived, more hardy and more aromatic when they are grown in a poor dry soil[9]. Established plants are very drought tolerant[6]. Plants resprout freely after a fire[12][5]. The sub-species A. tripartita rupicola is a dwarf form growing only 15cm tall, whilst A. tripartita tripartita grows to 1.8 metres[5]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[6]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[8].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

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  3. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

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  4. Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture.

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  5. Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan. 1990-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  6. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  7. Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0395467225

    ↩

  8. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

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  9. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

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  10. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  11. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩

  12. Hitchcock. C. L. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press 1955-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  13. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

    ↩1↩2

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