Glandular Trichomes: A Helpful Taxonomic Character for Artemisia nova (Black Sagebrush)

Abstract

The visibility of leaf glandular trichomes with 10× magnification was examined for 7 sagebrush taxa. In 75% of the Artemisia nova plants the glands were easily observed protruding through a layer of nonglandular trichomes (hairs). On A. arbuscula and the 3 subspecies of A. tridentata the glands were covered by the hairs and were not visible. These structures can be observed in the field with a hand lens and provide a supportive characteristic for the identification of A. nova.