VALUE AND USE
SPECIES: Encelia farinosa | Brittle Bush 



WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : 
Brittle bush is a browse species of desert mule deer and desert bighorn
sheep [19,48].  Brittle bush has no forage value for domestic livestock
[15].  In a laboratory study, kangaroo rats ate brittle bush seeds, but
they were not preferred [23].  Several species of breeding birds inhabit
the brittle bush-ironwood (Olneya tesota) community of foothills and
bajadas [17].


PALATABILITY : 
NO-ENTRY


NUTRITIONAL VALUE : 
Nutritional values of brittle bush collected bimonthly in the
Picacho Mountains of Arizona in 1983 are as follows [19]:
                                      Fiber %
        Dry Matter %   Protein %     ADF    NDF      Lignin %
   
Jan-Feb   36.86         11.04       22.31  30.36     5.48
Mar-Apr   38.23         9.28        20.67  28.86     5.87
May-June  49.56         8.49        28.74  38.98     8.08
July-Aug  72.02         3.28        48.72  63.88     13.64
Sept-Oct  38.28         8.60        28.28  34.84     7.60 
Nov-Dec   31.84         12.70       26.11  31.27     8.74

ADF-acid detergent fiber
NDF-nonacid detergent fiber

Nutritional value of brittle bush has also been analyzed by Seegmiller
and others [48] and Rautenstrauch and others [33].


COVER VALUE : 



VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES : 
Brittle bush is most valuable for rehabilitating low maintenance
landscapes, critical stabilization areas, and disturbed areas.  It is
easily transplanted or can be established by direct seeding.  Seeds and
plants are available in limited quantities [38].  Brittle bush is used
to minimize erosion and sediment damage near highways in Arizona [6].


OTHER USES AND VALUES : 
The stems of brittle bush exude a clear resin used by the Indians as
glue and chewing gum.  In the churches of some parts of Mexico the resin
is burned as incense [1,46].  The Seri Indians of Sonora, Mexico, use
the brittle bush twigs as a remedy for toothaches.  They also grind the
resin and sprinkle it on sores [12].


MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Brittle bush infestation reduces forage production because brittle bush
competes strongly with buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliarus).  Several studies
were conducted to determine the effectiveness of mechanical and chemical
brittle bush control.  Mowing killed few plants but temporarily reduced
growth.  Hand removal resulted in 100 percent mortality, but brittle
bush seedlings rapidly reinvaded and densities were equal to
pretreatment levels after 3 months.  Soil-applied pelleted tebuthiuron
and picloram control brittle bush.  High intensity livestock grazing
reduced brittle bush growth, but caused no significant change in brittle
bush density after 3 years [53].

Related categories for Species: Encelia farinosa | Brittle Bush