VALUE AND USE
SPECIES: Calamagrostis purpurascens | Purple Pinegrass 



WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : 
Early in the season this grass is grazed readily by all classes of
livestock, but after midsummer it is grazed only lightly or moderately
by cattle and horses.  It is also consumed by bighorn sheep [30].


PALATABILITY : 
The relish and degree of use shown by livestock for purple pinegrass in
Utah is rated as good for cattle, fair for sheep, and good for horses
[9].


NUTRITIONAL VALUE : 
Purple pinegrass has been rated as fair in energy value and poor in
protein value [9].


COVER VALUE : 
The degree to which purple pinegrass provides environmental protection
during one or more seasons for wildlife species is as follows [9]:

                          CO       UT       WY

Pronghorn                ----     Poor     Poor
Elk                      ----     Poor     Poor
Mule deer                ----     Poor     Poor
White-tailed deer        Poor     ----     ----
Small mammals            ----     Good     Fair
Small nongame birds      ----     Good     Fair
Upland game birds        ----     Fair     Fair
Waterfowl                ----     ----     Poor


VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES : 
Reclamation of disturbed subalpine and alpine ecosystems is almost
totally dependent upon the use of adapted native species such as purple
pinegrass [4].  Fibrous roots as well as the ability to colonize hostile
sites makes this species a good soil builder and an effective tool in
erosion control [14].  This grass recovers well after oil spills and is
a useful species for reclamation of these sites [14].  Purple pinegrass
has been found on spoil heaps of abandoned subalpine coil-mined land
[27].  It has some potential for use in reclamation in the Rocky
Mountains of Alberta, but further research on genetic variability, seed
handling, and early management is needed [14].  Seeds of this grass
should be planted on disturbed sites in autumn in order to maximize the
opportunity for natural stratification.  Seeds should be stored at low
temperatures [0 deg F (-18 deg C)] to maximize their longevity [4].


OTHER USES AND VALUES : 
NO-ENTRY


MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
NO-ENTRY

Related categories for Species: Calamagrostis purpurascens | Purple Pinegrass