VALUE AND USE
SPECIES: Grindelia squarrosa | Curlycup Gumweed 



WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : 
Curlycup gumweed was eaten by sage grouse chicks aged 5 to 8 weeks in
central Montana.  It was used by 28 percent of chicks and made up 3
percent by volume of crop contents.  At ages 9 to 12 weeks it was used
by 39 percent of chicks and made up 4 percent of crop contents.  It was
not used by chicks younger than 5 weeks old [26].


PALATABILITY : 
Curlycup gumweed is unpalatable to cattle, sheep, and horses [8,19],
though sheep will occasionally crop flower heads in the absence of other
forage [17].  Tannins, volatile oils, resins, bitter alkaloids, and
glucosides give curlycup gumweed an unpleasant taste [1].


NUTRITIONAL VALUE : 
The energy value and protein value of curlycup gumweed for livestock is
poor.  Its food value for several species of wildlife in some western
states is [8]:

                              MT       ND       UT

     Elk                     ----     ----     poor
     Mule deer               ----     ----     poor
     Pronghorn               ----     ----     poor
     Upland game birds       good     good     fair
     Waterfowl               ----     ----     poor
     Small nongame birds     fair     good     fair
     Small mammals           ----     ----     fair


COVER VALUE : 
The cover value of curlycup gumweed for several species of wildlife in
some western states is [8]:

                             MT       ND       UT

     Elk                    ----     ----     poor
     Mule deer              poor     fair     poor
     White-tailed deer      ----     fair     ----
     Pronghorn              good     fair     poor
     Upland game birds      fair     fair     fair
     Waterfowl              ----     fair     poor
     Small nongame birds    fair     fair     fair
     Small mammals          ----     poor     fair


VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES : 
Curlycup gumweed occurred in only trace amounts on unreclaimed and
reclaimed bentonite mine spoils in southeastern Montana.  It occurred in
greater abundance on adjacent grasslands [30].

Curlycup gumweed was used in a roadside reseeding project in southern
Wisconsin.  It showed a high ability to survive and grow under adverse
conditions.  Seedlings transplanted easily to the field and grew
rapidly.  Results for both direct seeding and seedling transplant were
excellent [24].


OTHER USES AND VALUES : 
Native Americans used curlycup gumweed extracts to treat asthma,
bronchitis, colic, and skin rash [17].  The Pawnees boiled the flower
heads and leaves, and used the decoction for bathing saddle sores and
other skin irritations [1].  Today, medicinal uses include treatment of
bronchial spasm, whooping cough, asthma, and rashes caused by poison ivy
(Toxicodendron radicans) [17].  Curlycup gumweed extract is valuable as
a stimulant, sedative, astringent, purgative, emetic, diuretic,
antiseptic, and disinfectant [1].

Curlycup gumweed is used as an ornamental.  It produces flowers over a
long period, even when the soil is poor and dry [1].


MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Curlycup gumweed is listed as noxious in Idaho, Montana, North and South
Dakota, and Washington [37].

Curlycup gumweed increases with grazing [18] and has a negative economic
impact on rangelands [8].  It forms dense, brushlike cover in rangelands
where there is much broken sod [35].  In the Central Great Plains, it is
not usually found on ranges of excellent or good condition, but is found
on ranges in fair condition [20].

Curlycup gumweed stems, leaves, and flowers produce a sticky exudate.
The coats of livestock can become gummed with it [2].

Curlycup gumweed is drought resistant due to deep roots and resinous
secretions [1].

Curlycup gumweed is a facultative selenium absorber [1].

Related categories for Species: Grindelia squarrosa | Curlycup Gumweed