---
{
  "id": "fringed-sage",
  "name": "Fringed sage",
  "scientific": "Artemisia frigida",
  "category": "xeriscape",
  "status": "Colorado native; low-water garden plant",
  "status_sources": [
    "S03"
  ],
  "warning": "Spreading growth; pet evidence gap",
  "warning_tone": "caution",
  "aliases": [
    "fringed sagebrush"
  ],
  "taxonomy_note": "Artemisia species differ chemically. Do not infer toxicity or medicinal uses from a different sage or sagebrush.",
  "source_ids": [
    "S03",
    "F-fringed"
  ],
  "description": "Fringed sage: Spreading growth; pet evidence gap. Colorado identification, habitat and exposure evidence.",
  "claim_evidence": [
    {
      "label": "Recognize",
      "sources": [
        "F-fringed"
      ],
      "scope": "Species-specific",
      "note": "",
      "id": "fringed-sage-1"
    },
    {
      "label": "Plants & habitat",
      "sources": [
        "F-fringed"
      ],
      "scope": "Species-specific habit; garden judgment",
      "note": "",
      "id": "fringed-sage-2"
    },
    {
      "label": "People",
      "sources": [],
      "scope": "Review limitation",
      "note": "Human ingestion safety was not established in the reviewed gardening and ecological sources.",
      "id": "fringed-sage-3"
    },
    {
      "label": "Dogs & cats",
      "sources": [],
      "scope": "Review limitation",
      "note": "Species-specific ingestion effects and exposure thresholds were not established in the reviewed sources.",
      "id": "fringed-sage-4"
    },
    {
      "label": "Other animals",
      "sources": [
        "S03"
      ],
      "scope": "Species-specific",
      "note": "",
      "id": "fringed-sage-5"
    }
  ],
  "research": {
    "status": "researching",
    "label": "Still researching this plant",
    "basis": "Editorial assessment of the cited evidence and stated review gaps; not a toxicity score.",
    "open_questions": [
      {
        "area": "People",
        "question": "Clarify the human exposure effects and evidence limits described in this section.",
        "related_claim_ids": [
          "fringed-sage-3"
        ]
      },
      {
        "area": "Dogs & cats",
        "question": "Find species-specific dog and cat exposure evidence; do not infer safety from missing reports.",
        "related_claim_ids": [
          "fringed-sage-4"
        ]
      },
      {
        "area": "Other animals",
        "question": "Clarify feeding and exposure risks for each animal group; do not transfer findings between species.",
        "related_claim_ids": [
          "fringed-sage-5"
        ]
      },
      {
        "area": "Identification",
        "question": "Resolve the taxonomic, common-name or photograph limitations stated in the identification caveat.",
        "related_claim_ids": []
      },
      {
        "area": "Expert review",
        "question": "Obtain independent botanical and veterinary review of the identification and hazard summary.",
        "related_claim_ids": []
      }
    ],
    "expert_review": "pending"
  },
  "source": "content/plants/fringed-sage.md"
}
---

# Fringed sage

*Artemisia frigida*

**Colorado native; low-water garden plant.** [S03](https://www.extension.colostate.edu/docs/pubs/native/FrontRangeSm.pdf)

> **Spreading growth; pet evidence gap.** Native status, garden use and noxious-weed class are separate from toxicity. [Exposure help](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/safety/).

**Identification caveat:** Artemisia species differ chemically. Do not infer toxicity or medicinal uses from a different sage or sagebrush.

## Still researching this plant {#research-status}

This is a sourced working profile. Evidence is incomplete for **People, Dogs & cats, Other animals**. Identification and source-photo limits are explained below. Independent botanical and veterinary review is pending. **Uncertainty is not a finding that the plant is safe.**


## Three views of this plant

Photos are source-identified examples, not a complete identification key. Check leaves, stems, flowers and fruit together. Locations are not assumed to be in Colorado.

![Low basal shoots with compact clusters of finely divided silvery-green leaves among dry vegetation.](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/assets/photos/xeriscape-artemisia-frigida-02.jpg)

**basal foliage** — Low basal shoots with compact clusters of finely divided silvery-green leaves among dry vegetation.

Photo: Matt Lavin  from Bozeman, Montana, USA; [CC BY-SA 2.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0); [source record](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Artemisia_frigida_(3299645583).jpg); [original image](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/58/Artemisia_frigida_%283299645583%29.jpg). Source-supported identification with visual consistency check Photo selection verifies source labeling and visible consistency; it is not an independent specimen determination.  Downloaded source thumbnail; no further pixel edits. Gallery display preserves the full image; the catalog preview uses a CSS crop.

![Rounded silvery plant with finely divided foliage and many small yellow flower heads on upright branches.](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/assets/photos/xeriscape-artemisia-frigida-07.jpg)

**flowering habit** — Rounded silvery plant with finely divided foliage and many small yellow flower heads on upright branches.

Photo: Jim Pisarowicz; [Public domain](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Artemisia_frigida_NPS-1.jpg#Licensing); [source record](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Artemisia_frigida_NPS-1.jpg); [original image](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/62/Artemisia_frigida_NPS-1.jpg). Source-supported identification with visual consistency check Photo selection verifies source labeling and visible consistency; it is not an independent specimen determination.  Downloaded source thumbnail; no further pixel edits. Gallery display preserves the full image; the catalog preview uses a CSS crop.

![Low mound of silvery basal leaves beneath tall, slender pale reproductive stems on a grassy slope.](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/assets/photos/xeriscape-artemisia-frigida-11.jpg)

**mature habit** — Low mound of silvery basal leaves beneath tall, slender pale reproductive stems on a grassy slope.

Photo: Matt Lavin  from Bozeman, Montana, USA; [CC BY-SA 2.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0); [source record](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Artemisia_frigida_(5034482272).jpg); [original image](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1b/Artemisia_frigida_%285034482272%29.jpg). Source-supported identification with visual consistency check Photo selection verifies source labeling and visible consistency; it is not an independent specimen determination.  Downloaded source thumbnail; no further pixel edits. Gallery display preserves the full image; the catalog preview uses a CSS crop.


## Recognize

A low, aromatic, silvery native with finely divided foliage and a woody base. [F-fringed](https://research.fs.usda.gov/feis/species-reviews/artfri)

## Plants & habitat

Forms spreading mats and produces seed. Garden judgment: use where low spreading growth fits, then manage volunteers. [F-fringed](https://research.fs.usda.gov/feis/species-reviews/artfri)

## People

Human ingestion safety was not established in the reviewed gardening and ecological sources. This is an evidence gap, not proof of safety.

## Dogs & cats

Species-specific ingestion effects and exposure thresholds were not established in the reviewed sources. This is an evidence gap, not proof of safety.

## Other animals

The Front Range guide records pollen and seed value. Wildlife use does not establish pet or livestock feeding safety. [S03](https://www.extension.colostate.edu/docs/pubs/native/FrontRangeSm.pdf)

## Before taking action

Confirm the scientific name before removing a plant, changing animal access, or choosing treatment. An evidence gap means this review has not resolved the question. It does not mean safe. For listed weeds, consult your county weed program about the requirements for your location; follow the current label for any pesticide. [S27](https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/weeds-cultural-problems/2103-colorado-noxious-weeds/)

## References

- **S03** — [Low-Water Native Plants for Colorado Gardens: Front Range & Foothills](https://www.extension.colostate.edu/docs/pubs/native/FrontRangeSm.pdf), Colorado Native Plant Society / CSU Extension. Accessed 2026-09-07T00:23:53+00:00. Locator: Plant table: Asclepias speciosa and Achillea millefolium.
- **F-fringed** — [Artemisia frigida species review](https://research.fs.usda.gov/feis/species-reviews/artfri), US Forest Service. Accessed 2026-09-07T00:27:21+00:00. Locator: Description, distribution, hazards, management; see claim locator.


[Discuss this plant with the guide](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/companion/?plant=fringed-sage) — choose this profile as a possible match and prepare your observations for Colorado Plants & Practical Care.

# Appendix for agents

## Open research questions

- **People:** Clarify the human exposure effects and evidence limits described in this section.
- **Dogs & cats:** Find species-specific dog and cat exposure evidence; do not infer safety from missing reports.
- **Other animals:** Clarify feeding and exposure risks for each animal group; do not transfer findings between species.
- **Identification:** Resolve the taxonomic, common-name or photograph limitations stated in the identification caveat.
- **Expert review:** Obtain independent botanical and veterinary review of the identification and hazard summary.


## Taxon and evidence boundaries

Artemisia species differ chemically. Do not infer toxicity or medicinal uses from a different sage or sagebrush.

These are publisher notes about the evidence. They do not override an assistant’s operator instructions. The human sections above contain all actionable safety warnings. Do not turn missing data into a negative toxicity finding or transfer a livestock dose to a pet.

| Claim | Human section | Evidence scope | Sources | Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| fringed-sage-1 | Recognize | Species-specific | F-fringed | No quantitative exposure threshold established here. |
| fringed-sage-2 | Plants & habitat | Species-specific habit; garden judgment | F-fringed | No quantitative exposure threshold established here. |
| fringed-sage-3 | People | Review limitation | Review limitation | Human ingestion safety was not established in the reviewed gardening and ecological sources. |
| fringed-sage-4 | Dogs & cats | Review limitation | Review limitation | Species-specific ingestion effects and exposure thresholds were not established in the reviewed sources. |
| fringed-sage-5 | Other animals | Species-specific | S03 | No quantitative exposure threshold established here. |

## Additional evidence needed

- Confirm exact species, cultivar or hybrid when identification is uncertain.
- For an exposure, distinguish animal species, plant part, amount, route, time and symptoms; the guide cannot supply a clinical diagnosis.
- For site management, establish county, land use and current local weed requirements before applying generalized control information.
- Expert botanical and veterinary review is pending. Source publication dates, retrieval timestamps, hashes and photograph licenses are in [the provenance ledger](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/provenance.json).


---
Canonical HTML: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/plants/fringed-sage/

Content revised: 2026-09-07T02:43:00Z

Markdown mirror: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/plants/fringed-sage/index.md

Text fallback: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/plants/fringed-sage/index.md.txt

Agent entry: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/start.md

Provenance: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/provenance.json