Sand desert shrub

Sand desert shrub (SDS) is a plant community, or vegetation type, found in the Colorado Plateau and Canyonlands region in areas of shifting sands or very sandy soils. Dominant plant species include old man sage (Artemisia filifolia), yucca, Indian ricegrass (Stipa hymenoides), and wavy leaf oak (Quercus welshii). A common characteristic of plants in this community is a very deep and extensive root system, which helps stabilize the sand dunes, or an ability to adjust to the shifting sands. In the Glen Canyon area, it can be found in lower elevation mesas, canyons, and terraces to 4,500 feet (1,400 m) in elevation.