---
{
  "id": "prairie-sage",
  "name": "Prairie sage",
  "scientific": "Artemisia ludoviciana",
  "category": "native",
  "status": "Colorado native",
  "status_sources": [
    "S03"
  ],
  "warning": "Spreading roots; pet evidence gap",
  "warning_tone": "caution",
  "aliases": [
    "white sage",
    "white sagebrush"
  ],
  "taxonomy_note": "Common name white sage also refers to other plants, including Salvia apiana. Do not merge their uses or toxicology.",
  "source_ids": [
    "S03",
    "N-artemisia-ludoviciana"
  ],
  "description": "Prairie sage: Spreading roots; pet evidence gap. Colorado identification, habitat and exposure evidence.",
  "claim_evidence": [
    {
      "label": "Recognize",
      "sources": [
        "N-artemisia-ludoviciana"
      ],
      "scope": "Species-specific",
      "note": "",
      "id": "prairie-sage-1"
    },
    {
      "label": "Plants & habitat",
      "sources": [
        "N-artemisia-ludoviciana"
      ],
      "scope": "Species-specific",
      "note": "",
      "id": "prairie-sage-2"
    },
    {
      "label": "People",
      "sources": [],
      "scope": "Review limitation",
      "note": "The reviewed gardening source does not establish human ingestion safety.",
      "id": "prairie-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": "prairie-sage-4"
    },
    {
      "label": "Other animals",
      "sources": [
        "S03"
      ],
      "scope": "Species-specific wildlife use; toxicity gap",
      "note": "",
      "id": "prairie-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": [
          "prairie-sage-3"
        ]
      },
      {
        "area": "Dogs & cats",
        "question": "Find species-specific dog and cat exposure evidence; do not infer safety from missing reports.",
        "related_claim_ids": [
          "prairie-sage-4"
        ]
      },
      {
        "area": "Other animals",
        "question": "Clarify feeding and exposure risks for each animal group; do not transfer findings between species.",
        "related_claim_ids": [
          "prairie-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/prairie-sage.md"
}
---

# Prairie sage

*Artemisia ludoviciana*

**Colorado native.** [S03](https://www.extension.colostate.edu/docs/pubs/native/FrontRangeSm.pdf)

> **Spreading roots; 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:** Common name white sage also refers to other plants, including Salvia apiana. Do not merge their uses or toxicology.

## 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.

![Artemisia ludoviciana: Dense, silvery foliage with narrow leaves, some divided into slender lobes.](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/assets/photos/native-artemisia-ludoviciana-1.jpg)

**leaves** — Dense, silvery foliage with narrow leaves, some divided into slender lobes.

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_ludoviciana_(4022881472).jpg); [original image](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/92/Artemisia_ludoviciana_%284022881472%29.jpg). Wikimedia Commons source file title and species metadata identify the taxon. Visible morphology was checked for consistency, not treated as an independent botanical determination.   No edits to the downloaded image. Wikimedia may have supplied a scaled thumbnail; original and download URLs are recorded separately. Gallery display preserves the full image; the catalog preview uses a CSS crop.

![Artemisia ludoviciana: A broad patch of upright silvery stems and narrow flowering stalks in a rocky woodland opening.](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/assets/photos/native-artemisia-ludoviciana-2.jpg)

**habit and habitat** — A broad patch of upright silvery stems and narrow flowering stalks in a rocky woodland opening.

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_ludoviciana_ssp._incompta_(8001060861).jpg); [original image](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8f/Artemisia_ludoviciana_ssp._incompta_%288001060861%29.jpg). Wikimedia Commons source file title and species metadata identify the taxon. Visible morphology was checked for consistency, not treated as an independent botanical determination.   No edits to the downloaded image. Wikimedia may have supplied a scaled thumbnail; original and download URLs are recorded separately. Gallery display preserves the full image; the catalog preview uses a CSS crop.

![Artemisia ludoviciana: A clump on a rocky slope, showing leafy stems topped by narrow branched flower stalks.](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/assets/photos/native-artemisia-ludoviciana-3.jpg)

**flowering habit** — A clump on a rocky slope, showing leafy stems topped by narrow branched flower stalks.

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_ludoviciana_ssp._incompta_-_white_sagebrush_-_Flickr_-_Matt_Lavin_(1).jpg); [original image](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/82/Artemisia_ludoviciana_ssp._incompta_-_white_sagebrush_-_Flickr_-_Matt_Lavin_%281%29.jpg). Wikimedia Commons source file title and species metadata identify the taxon. Visible morphology was checked for consistency, not treated as an independent botanical determination.   No edits to the downloaded image. Wikimedia may have supplied a scaled thumbnail; original and download URLs are recorded separately. Gallery display preserves the full image; the catalog preview uses a CSS crop.


## Recognize

An upright silver-leaved perennial with small, inconspicuous flowerheads. [N-artemisia-ludoviciana](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/artemisia-ludoviciana/)

## Plants & habitat

Spreads by rhizomes and seed, sometimes becoming weedy. Dry, well-drained soil suits it; leave room or manage expansion at bed edges. [N-artemisia-ludoviciana](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/artemisia-ludoviciana/)

## People

The reviewed gardening source does not establish human ingestion safety. 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 for insects and birds. Those benefits do not establish livestock or pet 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.
- **N-artemisia-ludoviciana** — [Artemisia ludoviciana — Plant Toolbox](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/artemisia-ludoviciana/), NC State Extension. Accessed 2026-09-07T00:23:57+00:00. Locator: Description, Attributes, Poisonous to Humans, Problems.


[Discuss this plant with the guide](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/companion/?plant=prairie-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

Common name white sage also refers to other plants, including Salvia apiana. Do not merge their uses or toxicology.

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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| prairie-sage-1 | Recognize | Species-specific | N-artemisia-ludoviciana | No quantitative exposure threshold established here. |
| prairie-sage-2 | Plants & habitat | Species-specific | N-artemisia-ludoviciana | No quantitative exposure threshold established here. |
| prairie-sage-3 | People | Review limitation | Review limitation | The reviewed gardening source does not establish human ingestion safety. |
| prairie-sage-4 | Dogs & cats | Review limitation | Review limitation | Species-specific ingestion effects and exposure thresholds were not established in the reviewed sources. |
| prairie-sage-5 | Other animals | Species-specific wildlife use; toxicity gap | 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/prairie-sage/

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

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

Text fallback: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/plants/prairie-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