VALUE AND USE
SPECIES: Toxicodendron rydbergii | Western Poison-Ivy 



WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : 
Although contact with western poison-ivy often causes a debilitating
rash in humans, wildlife and livestock can browse this species without
any ill effects [20].  Plants, however, are only sparsely browsed by
either livestock or wildlife.


PALATABILITY : 
In general, western poison-ivy is of low palatability to the majority of
wildlife and livestock.  Livestock occasionally browse plants on western
rangelands [20].  Since fruits remain on the plant throughout the
winter, quail often eat western poison-ivy fruits during periods of snow
cover in the Great Plains [9].  Fruits are also a fall food item of wild
turkeys in portions of south-central South Dakota [14].

The palatability of western poison-ivy in several western states is
rated as follows [4]:

                     CO        MT        ND        UT        WY
 
Cattle              Poor      ----      Fair      Poor      Poor         
Sheep               Poor      ----      Fair      Poor      Poor      
Horses              Poor      ----      Poor      Poor      Poor
Pronghorn           ----      Poor      Poor      Poor      Poor  
Elk                 ----      Poor      ----      Poor      Poor
Mule deer           ----      Poor      Fair      Poor      Poor
White-tailed deer   ----      Poor      Good      ----      Poor
Small mammals       ----      ----      ----      Poor      Good
Small nongame birds ----      ----      Good      Poor      Good
Upland game birds   ----      ----      Good      Poor      Good
Waterfowl           ----      ----      ----      Poor      Poor.



NUTRITIONAL VALUE : 
Western poison-ivy is rated poor in both energy and protein value [4].


COVER VALUE : 
Western poison-ivy cover value for wildlife is rated as follows [4]:

                      CO       MT       ND       UT       WY

Pronghorn            ----     ----     Fair     Poor     Poor 
Elk 	             ----     ----     ----     Poor     Poor
Mule deer            ----     ----     Fair     Poor     Poor
White-tailed deer    ----     ----     Fair     ----     Poor
Small mammals        ----     ----     ----     Fair     Good 
Small nongame birds  ----     ----     Fair     Fair     Good
Upland game birds    ----     ----     Fair     Fair     Fair
Waterfowl            ----     ----     ----     Poor     Poor.





VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES : 
NO-ENTRY


OTHER USES AND VALUES : 
NO-ENTRY


MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
A milky oil in the phloem of western poison-ivy may cause blistering of
human skin within a few hours of contact [21].  Plants must somehow be
damaged in order for the oil to be emitted.  Skin rashes can result
from contact with either the liquid oil or its dried, blackened residue.
Secondary objects such as hand tools can also transmit the poison [22].

Related categories for Species: Toxicodendron rydbergii | Western Poison-Ivy