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General: Sunflower Family (Asteraceae). Prairie sagewort is a spreading shrublet 1-4 dm (3.9-15.7 in) tall, pleasantly fragrant, whitish or grayish tomentose, and arising from a tough, woody crown. Tomentose means having dense, velvety, fuzzy hairs. The leaves are also tomentose and abundant, clustered toward the base and scattered along the stem. The lower leaves are petiolate, 12 mm (0.5 in) long, with the upper leaves becoming sessile. The inflorescence is a panicle with small, greenish flower heads. Prairie sagewort flowers from July to August. The fruits are dry, smooth, broadly cylindrical achenes.