• IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE
• PALATABILITY
• NUTRITIONAL VALUE
• COVER VALUE
• VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES
• OTHER USES AND VALUES
• MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS

IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE:

Desert bitterbrush is an important forage species for livestock, deer, and pronghorn [8,16,35,48], especially in winter [30].

PALATABILITY:

In Utah, desert bitterbrush is generally of medium palatability to livestock and wildlife [22].

In California, palatability of desert bitterbrush is ranked excellent to good for domestic sheep, domestic goats, and deer, fair for cattle, and fair to useless for horses [35].

Desert bitterbrush is less palatable to deer than its close relative, antelope bitterbrush [12,30].

NUTRITIONAL VALUE:

Crude protein content of desert bitterbrush is 9.0% [46]. Because desert bitterbrush is an evergreen shrub, its winter protein levels are generally higher than those of antelope bitterbrush and other deciduous forage [25].

COVER VALUE:

Upright growth forms of desert bitterbrush provide cover for game animals [24].

VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES:

Due to its ability to layer from dormant buds along the stem, desert bitterbrush is an excellent soil stabilizer [16,22,28,30]. Desert bitterbrush is useful for stabilizing soils where annual precipitation averages 11 inches (279 mm) or more [29]. With appropriate seed treatment, desert bitterbrush establishes well on disturbed sites either by seed or from transplants [29]. However, seeding can be difficult due to the dormancy of desert bitterbrush seed [48]. Desert bitterbrush can be propagated from stem cuttings. Cuttings should be collected in early spring or in August and September and treated with 0.8 to 2.0 IBA powder [16].

OTHER USES AND VALUES:

No entry

MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS:

Desert bitterbrush is browsing tolerant [30].

Related categories for SPECIES: Purshia glandulosa | Desert Bitterbrush