As compared to big sagebrush (A. tridentata), A. nova is small (typically shorter than 20 inches), leaves are 3 lobed, with the leaf constricting immediately below the lobes, somewhat like a chickens foot and are a darker shade of gray-green. A. nova seed is approximately 2.8 times larger than big sagebrush seed (900k seeds/lb vs 2500k seeds/lb).
