VALUE AND USE
SPECIES: Krameria parvifolia | Range Ratany 



WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : 
Range ratany is an important forage species for all classes of livestock
and for deer (Odocoileus spp.) [6].  It also provides cover for small
mammals and reptiles [25,26].

In Arizona range ratany is an important component in the diet of deer.
It comprises approximately 10 percent of white-tailed deer's (O.
virginianus) diet and 23 percent of mule deer's (O. hemionus) diet
[2,3].


PALATABILITY : 
Palatability of range ratany is rated fair to good for cattle and sheep
[16].  Mule and white-tailed deer browse range ratany year-long with
seasonal peaks.  Mule deer peak use is from February to April and from
August to October, and white-tailed deer peak use is from August to
October [2,3].
 
The relish and degree of use shown by livestock and wildlife species for
range ratany in several western states is rated as follows
[2,16,24,29,30]:

                         AZ      NM      NV      TX      UT
Cattle                  fair    fair    fair    fair    fair
Sheep                   good    good    good    good    good
Mule deer               good    good    good    good    good
White-tailed deer       fair    fair    fair    fair    fair    


NUTRITIONAL VALUE : 
Krausman and others [18] reported the bimonthly nutritional value
(percent composition) of range ratany as follows:

           Dry                         Cell                  Hemi-
           matter   Protein   Lignin   soluble   Cellulose   cellulose

Jan.       66.11    5.81      10.33    37.63     31.60       20.62
March      58.75    5.79      9.63     39.14     29.65       21.62
May        58.42    6.58      9.36     45.64     23.69       21.09
July       62.35    7.87      11.74    40.68     27.84       19.57
Sept.      52.37    7.30      11.16    39.46     29.67       19.86
Nov.       60.63    6.28      11.16    39.34     24.52       23.28
   
The in-vitro digestibility of range ratany varies with the species of
deer.  Mule deer are able to utilize 40 percent of it while white-tailed
deer only utilize 31 percent [30].


COVER VALUE : 
Range ratany provides thermal cover for rattlesnakes (Crotalus spp.) and
the western whiptail (Cnemidophorus tigris) [25].  Small mammals, such
as the Bailey's pocket mouse (Perognathus baileyi), use range ratany for
hiding cover [26].  For large mammals it provides poor to fair hiding
cover.


VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES : 
NO-ENTRY


OTHER USES AND VALUES : 
The Papago Indians used an infusion of the twigs externally for treating
sore eyes and internally for dysentery.  The roots provided them with a
red dye for wool and other materials.  The dye was also used as an ink
[19,24].


MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Range ratany decreases in response to heavy grazing [7].  Judd [16]
suggests that 25 to 50 percent of the current year's growth be used on a
well-grazed range.  Beyond 50 percent range ratany is receiving too much
grazing pressure.

Related categories for Species: Krameria parvifolia | Range Ratany