Big sagebrush is the state flower of Nevada. This species can survive under a great range of environmental conditions. The deep alluvial soil of the Columbia Basin provides good growing conditions for the deep rooted shrub. Lewis and Clark were amazed that these were the tallest "trees" they found along the Snake river in 1805 and resorted to trading with Native Peoples for firewood.

The minute flowers form numerous small yellowish heads during late summer, hardly noticeable in the landscape among the bright flowering rabbitbrushes. The pollen and strong odor may cause an allergic response in some people.