VALUE AND USE
SPECIES: Tetradymia glabrata | Littleleaf Horsebrush 



WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : 
Even though littleleaf horsebrush is not ordinarily palatable to
livestock, buds and young leaves are eaten by sheep, goats, pronghorn,
and deer on desert, overgrazed, and depleted rangelands, as well as ib
winter and early spring ranges.  This species is poisonous and has
caused the death of thousands of animals in Utah and Nevada.  Abortion
may also occur as a result of rapid liver damage [7,8].

Littleleaf horsebrush is twice as toxic as gray horsebrush (Tetradymia
canescens), and animals are less likely to recover from its poisioning
[10].  The toxicity of plants in the same stage of development varies
with locality.  Plants are most toxic in the spring, and poisoning may
occur if large quantities are consumed [10,12,13].  Toxicity is mostly
lost after flowering.  Littleleaf horsebrush is most dangerous in April
and May when it is growing rapidly.

Consumption of big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) or black sagebrush
(A. nova) and littleleaf horsebrush predisposes sheep to
photosensitization.  This can develop rapidly with several hundred sheep
becoming affected within 2 to 3 hours.  Littleleaf horsebrush is more
toxic than gray horsebrush, but gray horsebrush is more likely to cause
photosensitization, probably because of its lesser toxicity [8].  The
ingestion of 0.5 percent body weight of young leaves and twigs can
result in liver damage and associated photosensitization, which in turn
leads to capillary breakage, edema, and head swelling (bighead).  Sheep
usually do not recover from bighead.  Cattle are not affected by this
problem [10,12,13].


PALATABILITY : 
The palatability of littleleaf horsebrush in Utah is rated fair for
sheep but poor for cattle and horses [4].  This toxic species is
especially dangerous during bud stage when it is most palatable [6].


NUTRITIONAL VALUE : 
Littleleaf horsebrush is rated poor in energy and protein value [4].


COVER VALUE : 
In dry, sparsely vegetated desert ranges, littleleaf horsebrush provides
needed ground cover [12].


VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES : 
The potential for erosion control for littleleaf horsebrush in Utah is
low, as is its potential for revegetation.  Its establishment
requirements are also low [4].


OTHER USES AND VALUES : 
NO-ENTRY


MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Sheep should be managed so as to avoid littleleaf horsebrush [6].

Related categories for Species: Tetradymia glabrata | Littleleaf Horsebrush