Sagebrush has a lingering, fresh scent that is great for protection & cleansing.

One of the most common misconceptions about the Sagebrush in Prisons

program is about which species of plant we are growing. People might say:

“Oh, you’re growing sage? I love sage, especially on potatoes or in

marinara.” Then you have to explain that “No, we aren’t growing sage the

spice, but sagebrush the high desert shrub.” Sagebrush and sage aren’t

even related, but their common names confuse people into thinking that

they are. Culinary sage, or Salvia officinalis, is an herb native to the

Mediterranean region, and is used as a spice and for its medicinal

properties. Sage is a member of the mint family (Lamiaceae, to botanists).

But sagebrush, Artemisia tridentata, is in another family altogether, the

sunflower family (Asteraceae). But of course, sagebrush flowers look

nothing like sunflowers, and in fact, they are wind pollinated instead of

insect pollinated. The Artemisia genus is named after Artemis, the Greek

goddess of hunting, wild animals, and the wilderness. The species name

Tridentata refers to the leaves, which have three "teeth" at the end.

Culinary sage leaves are oblong, toothless, have a pebbly texture, and

taste much better than sagebrush.