Artemisia tridentata
Subspecies of big sagebrush ("Artemisia tridentata") dominate drier portions of the landscapes. Most of the sagebrush that occurs in the Wasatch Range is mountain big sagebrush ("Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana"). Many of the valley bottoms at one time were occupied by basin big sagebrush ("Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata"). Most of this subspecies has been removed, however, because it occurred on what constitutes prime agricultural lands. In upper elevations, and on slightly more mesic sites than that of mountain big sagebrush, one can find subalpine big sagebrush ("Artemisia tridenta ssp. spiciformis"). This subspecies occupies productive sites and often has a lush understory of wildflowers and grasses. Wyoming big sagebrush ("Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis") occurs at the lowest and driest elevations, although much of the Wasatch Range is above the elevation where this subspecies occurs. All sagebrush species, combined, provide critical habitat to greater sage grouse, a species under consideration for listing by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.