California Sagebrush, Artemisia californica

Sagebrush: the most widespread native plant in the West -- everybody should know it. Rub a couple of leaves between
your fingers -- it smells great, something like sage, but don't call it sage -- true sage is in the Mint family.

Sagebrush is a composite in the Aster/Sunflower family. You rarely see much of a flower on this plant, just these little buds in late fall.