California Sagebrush

Can’t identify either
California sagebrush is a shrub found in coastal dunes. It is well-adapted to the droughts of the chaparral region. Both the silver-gray foliage and the light-colored hairs reflect sunlight, reducing water loss due to evaporative cooling. To conserve water, reduce heat absorption, and/or passively cool, certain designs may incorporate a similar, bioinspired structure of the hairs.

The shrub’s roots also secrete a specialized terpene compound, protective aromatic hydrocarbons widely used by many plant species. For the California sagebrush, chemicals inhibit the growth of other plants. A synthetic compound inspired by this may offer an biodegradable alternative to herbicides. It could also potentially serve as an environmentally friendly way to prevent the spread of invasive plants.

The California sagebrush’s, extensive fibrous root system reaches deep into the soil to access groundwater reserves, accommodating the scarce rainwater. The particular pattern of fibrous root systems is described as “dendritic,” a branching, tree-like network that is also prevalent in rivers and blood vessels. The dendritic pattern provides the most efficient path for materials to flow with the least resistance. In order to develop resource-efficient technology, various networks that provide a flow — such as electricity running in circuit boards — may follow this dendritic system. Additionally, the fibrous roots act to hold the ground together. To protect soil from erosion, root-like structures could be implemented into the ground.

Source:
https://naturecollective.org/plant-guide/details/california-sagebrush/
https://plants.usda.gov/DocumentLibrary/plantguide/pdf/pg_arca11.pdf