Sagebrush (noun)

1. Any of various shrubs or small trees of the genus Artemisia.
2. The sagebrush ecosystem or vegetation.

Origin:

From sage + brush, as the plant often grows in brushy habitats.

Examples:

1. The sagebrush covered the plains as far as the eye could see.
2. The sagebrush provided habitat for various species of wildlife.
3. The scent of sagebrush filled the air after a rainstorm.
4. The sagebrush was a dominant plant in the Great Basin.
5. The sagebrush was used by indigenous people for medicinal purposes.