Common throughout the Great Basin and higher elevations of the Mojave Desert, big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) adds wonderful aromas into the air. Walk by this large, blue-gray to green shrub and touch its leaves to sample the minty smell. During the fall, big sagebrush will shoot up tiny golden flower stalks from the top of the plant. Because this plant dominates so many landscapes within Nevada it’s been named the state flower. Native uses of big sagebrush include teas for headaches, colds, fevers, stomach sickness, and other illnesses. The woody fibers of this plant made for excellent fire starters. In Red Rock Canyon you can spot this plant near Willow Spring, Lost Creek, Pine Creek, and Oak Creek.

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