VALUE AND USE
SPECIES: Lewisia rediviva | Bitterroot 



WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : 
Bitterroot is unimportant forage for large herbivores due to its small
size and brief growing period [22].  Rodents, however, consume the
leaves and seeds.  Montanan plants transplated in Pullman, Washington
were heavily grazed by deer mouse [4].


PALATABILITY : 
The palatability of bitterroot for grazing animals in several western
states is as follows [6]:

            CO       WY       MT
 
cattle     poor     poor     poor
sheep      poor     fair     fair
horse      poor     poor     poor
elk        ----     ----     poor
mule deer  ----     poor     ----


NUTRITIONAL VALUE : 
Aboveground portions of bitterroot are poor in energy and protein value
[6].  Nutrient composition of the fresh root per gram dry weight is as
follows [19]:

calories          3.87          calcium (mg)    2.35
protein (g)       0.10          iron (mg)       0.33
carbohydrate (g)  0.85          magnesium (mg)  0.74
lipid (g)         0.01          zinc (mg)       0.05
ash (g)           0.01


COVER VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES : 
NO-ENTRY


OTHER USES AND VALUES : 
Bitterroot is the state flower of Montana [22].

Bitterroot roots were boiled and eaten by western Indians [22,24].


MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Bitterroot increases in response to heavy grazing [11].

Related categories for Species: Lewisia rediviva | Bitterroot