Artemisia nova

In general, Artemisia nova is a small, erect shrub producing upright stems branched off a central trunklike base. It is usually no taller than 20 to 30 centimeters but it has been known to exceed 70 centimeters in height. The aromatic leaves are dark green, short, narrow, and sometimes toothed at the tip, triangular, and often have 3 rounded lobes. They are covered in hairs, which gives them a darker appearance and helps distinguish them from other sagebrush speciesThis species can sometimes be distinguished from its similar-looking relatives by glandular hairs on its leaves. The inflorescence bears clusters of flower heads lined with shiny, oily, yellow-green phyllaries with transparent tips. The fruit is a tiny achene up to a millimeter long. The plant reproduces from seed except in very rare occasions when it reproduces vegetatively by layering. Its leaves are key for identification, especially the silvery, three-lobed tips, and the plant's overall minty aroma. It hybridizes readily with other sagebrush species, particularly big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) where they co-occur. This hybridization results in intermediate forms and can create stable, reproducing populations.