Wyoming big sagebrush, Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. wyomingensis. This subspecies of sagebrush usually grows on shallower, drier soils in salt desert communities. Its low stature distinguishes it from Basin big sagebrush, the subspecies that normally grows on deeper soils. In contrast to basin big sagebrush, Wyoming big sagebrush rarely attains tree-like stature (with a single central trunk), and usually has a multi-stemmed appearence.
Fourwing saltbush, Atriplex canescens, Folly Farm area, eastern Harney county. March 17, 2009. The species is palatable to livestock and wild herbivores, and is often heavily browsed where accessible. http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=ATCA2
Green Rabbitbrush, Chrysothamnus nauseosus, growing on a sand dune complex west of Mickey Hot Spring, eastern Harney County . This specimen is large and probably very old.
Winterfat, Krascheninnikovia lanata at Mickey Basin ACEC/RNA, eastern Harney County. 7 April 2009. This Area of Critical Environmental Concern was established by BLM because its unique soil characteristics supports a nealry pure stand of winterfat and Nuttall's saltbush (Atriplex nuttallii S. Watson). http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=KRLA2
Budsage, Picrothamnus desertorum growing on sandy soil. Early flowering period, 4 April 2009, near Mickey Hot Springin the Alvord Basin, Harney County, Oregon. http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=PIDE4
Purple sage, Salvia dorrii two miles east of Mickey Hot Spring, Alvord Basin, Harney County. Flower buds have not yet appeared. http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=SADO4
Greasewood, Sarcobatus vermiculatus with leaves emerging, Mickey Hot Spring in the Alvord Basin, Harney County, Oregon. 7 April 2009. http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=SAVE4
Silver Buffaloberry, Shepherdia argentea on 7 April 2009 near Alvord Hot Springs in the Alvord Basin, Harney County, Oregon. http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=SHAR
Littleleaf horsebrush, tetradymia glabrata in a stable sand dune complex near Mickey Hot Springs, eastern Harney County, 7 April 2009. http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=TEGL
Stable sand dune community composed primarily of Wyoming big sagebrush, gray rabbitbrush, spiny hopsage, shadscale saltbush, Indian ricegrass, needle-and-thread grass and a rich forb community. West of Mickey Hot Springs, eastern Harney County, Oregon.
Foliage of basin big sagebrush, Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. tridentata. This subspecies of sagebrush usually grows on deeper well-drained soils in salt desert communities. Its tall stature distinguishes it from Wyoming big sagebrush, the subspecies that normally grows on shallower well-drained soils. Spring foliage from 8 May. Basin big sagebrush tolerates some seasonal flooding. Wyoming big sagebrush does not. http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=ARTRT
Foliage of basin big sagebrush, Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. tridentata. This subspecies of sagebrush usually grows on deeper well-drained soils in salt desert communities. Its tall stature distinguishes it from Wyoming big sagebrush, the subspecies that normally grows on shallower well-drained soils. http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=ARTRT
Budsage, Picrothamnus desertorum growing on sandy soil. Flowering period, 6 May 2008, near Borax Lake in the Alvord Basin, Harney County, Oregon. http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=PIDE4
Budsage, Picrothamnus desertorum growing on sandy soil. before flowering. 8 April 2008, south edge of Harney lake, Harney County, Oregon. http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=PIDE4
Budsage, Picrothamnus desertorum growing on sandy soil. Before flowering, 8 April 2008, south edge of Harney lake, Harney County, Oregon. http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=PIDE4
Budsage, Picrothamnus desertorum growing on desert pavement of lichen-encrusted srock. 8 April 2008, south edge of Harney lake, Harney County, Oregon. http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=PIDE4
Silver Buffaloberry, Shepherdia argentea on 30 December 2006 in the Alvord Basin, Harney County, Oregon. http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=SHAR
Greasewood, Sarcobatus vermiculatus growing on sandy soil. Prior to bud-break, 4 April 2008, South edge of Harney Lake, Harney County, Oregon. http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=SAVE4
Three salt desert shrubs, 8 April 2008, south edge of Harney Lake, Harney County, Oregon. Greaswood, Sarcobatus vermiculatus, pale yellow twigs, tallest at the back. Budsage, Picrothamnus desertorum , low green foliage. Spiny hopsage, bright yellow twigs between.
Green Rabbitbrush, Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus growing on sandy soil. 4 April 2008, South edge of Harney Lake, Harney County, Oregon.
Spiny hopsage, Grayia spinosa (left) and shortspine horsebrush, Tetradymia spinosa growing on sandy soil. Prior to bud-break, 4 April 2008, South edge of Harney Lake, Harney County, Oregon. http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=GRSP
Spiny hopsage, Grayia spinosa (left) and shortspine horsebrush, Tetradymia spinosa growing on sandy soil. Prior to bud-break, 4 April 2008, South edge of Harney Lake, Harney County, Oregon. http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=TESP2 http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=GRSP
Robust lichen growing on dead shrub. 8 April 2008, south edge of Harney lake, Harney County, Oregon.
Lichen complex on a rock, south edge of Harney Lake, Harney County, Oregon.
Greasewood, Sarcobatus vermiculatus with flowers at Borax Lake in the Alvord Basin, Harney County, Oregon. 30 June 2006. Variegated Meadowhawk is perched on foliage. http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=SAVE4
Salt Desert shrub habitat south of Harney Lake, Harney County, Oregon.
Shadscale saltbush , Atriplex confertifolia growing on sandy soil. Early flowering period, 6 May 2008, near Borax Lake in the Alvord Basin, Harney County, Oregon. http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=GRSP
Shadscale saltbush , Atriplex confertifolia growing on sandy soil. Early flowering period, 6 May 2008, near Borax Lake in the Alvord Basin, Harney County, Oregon. Spiny hopsage, artemisia spinescens at right.
Shadscale saltbush , Atriplex confertifolia growing on sandy soil. Just prior to bud-break, 4 April 2008, South edge of Harney Lake, Harney County, Oregon. http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=ATCO
Robust short moss growing under dead shrub. 8 April 2008, south edge of Harney lake, Harney County, Oregon.
Complex of Biotic Soil Crusts on sandy soil, including short moss, lichen and cyanobacteria. The Cyanobacteria creates the rugose soil topography. 8 April 2008, south edge of Harney lake, Harney County, Oregon.
Complex of Biotic Soil Crusts on sandy soil, including short moss, lichen and cyanobacteria. The Cyanobacteria creates the rugose soil topography, and also limits seedbed suitability for cheatgrass (dead yellow stocks in the photo). 8 April 2008, south edge of Harney lake, Harney County, Oregon.
Spiny hopsage, Grayia spinosa growing on sandy soil. Prior to bud-break, 4 April 2008, South edge of Harney Lake, Harney County, Oregon.
Spiny hopsage, Grayia spinosa growing on sandy soil. Early flowering period, 6 May 2008, near Borax Lake in the Alvord Basin, Harney County, Oregon. http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=GRSP
Spiny hopsage, Grayia spinosa growing on sandy soil. Prior to bud-break, 4 April 2008, South edge of Harney Lake, Harney County, Oregon. http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=GRSP
Shortspine horsebrush, Tetradymia spinosa growing on sandy soil. Prior to bud-break, 4 April 2008, South edge of Harney Lake, Harney County, Oregon. Spiny hopsage, Grayia spinosa out of focus at right. http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=TESP2
Greasewood, Sarcobatus vermiculatus with flowers at Borax Lake in the Alvord Basin, Harney County, Oregon. 30 June 2006. Western Pondhawk is perched on foliage. http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=SAVE4
Winterfat, Krascheninnikovia lanata at Long Draw, extreme southern Harney County, Oregon near the Nevada border. 29 May 2008. http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=KRLA2
