Each stem contains several dozen tiny flower heads which are yellow in bloom. Leaves are small and divided into very narrow segments giving them the appearance of a fringe of threads. This is a tufted plant; up to two dozen stems arise from fibrous perennial rootstocks. Fruits are tiny, subcylindrical achenes as in the sunflower.

The sages are members of the sunflower family (Asteraceae) which contains over 15,000 species. All the sages have been used for centuries for a large variety of flavorings condiments, and medicines. Fringed sage was used by the Hopi Indians for flavoring their sweet-corn.

For a complete Refuge species list

For in-depth plant information
connect with the U.S. Dept Agriculture Plant Data Base

Last Updated: 1/14/09

Plants that grow naturally on this short grass prairie are called "native" plants. The Refuge has four major groups.

• Grasses
• Wildflowers
• Shrubs
• Trees

Vegetation on the Rocky Mountain Arsenal is a mixture of different grasses, shrubs. semi-shrubs, forbes and wildflowers.

There are several species of shrubs at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal. Rubber rabbitbrush and Fringed sage are the most common. Other common species include Four-wing saltbush, Sand sagebrush and Spanish bayonet.