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You are here >1Up Info > Wildlife, Animals, and Plants > Plant Species > Shrub > Species: Encelia farinosa | Brittle Bush
 

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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

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Information Courtesy: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory. Fire Effects Information System

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