Prairie Sagebrush
Photo: Jim Pisarowicz, Public domain
Lewis and Clark collected prairie sagebrush specimens as early as September 2, 1804, near Springfield, South Dakota. The sagebrush-covered plains became one of the defining landscapes of the western expedition. Big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) and silver sagebrush (A. cana) were also documented as icons of the American West.
Journal Excerpt
Lewis, April 14, 1805: "on these hills many aromatic herbs are seen; resembling in taste, smel and appearance, the sage, hyssop, wormwood, southernwood, and two other herbs which are strangers to me."
Where it’s being seen today
7 research-grade iNaturalist observations between 2019–2025. Most recent: 2025-10-16. Sourced from Terrain360 trail captures, cached locally.
Journal References
1 journal entry mentions Prairie Sagebrush
