KEY TO IMPORTANT WOODY PLANTS 211 



Purshia tridentata 



One of the three most valuable browse species in the Pacific North- 

 west for antelope, deer, and elk. Its palatability and nutritional 

 value is generally good to excellent and it is commonly cropped by 

 sheep, goats, and cattle, but not horses. Periods of use by big game 

 are most commonly late fall, winter, and spring, but it may be grazed 

 throughout the year. According to clipping studies made in eastern 

 Oregon, the level of use for maximum sustained production of this 

 shrub on winter range is 60 to 65 percent on best sites, and 50 percent 

 on poorer sites. 



Quercus garryana 



Palatability of leaves is rated as poor to fair for cattle and fairly 

 good for sheep. 



Rhamnus spp. 



Forage value of the species is low. Cattle make no use of them and 

 sheep only browse them lightly. They appear to be of fair palatability 

 to deer and elk. Fruits relished by birds and R. purshiana is an 

 important medicinal species. 



Rhododendron albiflorum 



An unpalatable species; contains some toxic substances. 



Rhus spp. 



Palatability is low for livestock and big game. 



Ribes spp. 



Species of this genus are generally of poor palatability for cattle and 

 fair for sheep, deer, and elk. Important food sources of many birds, 

 such as grouse and prairie chickens, and of smaller wildlife such as 

 rodents. 



Rosa spp. 



Although roses are generally regarded as being rather poor forage, 

 R. gymnocarpa, R. spaldingii, and R. ultramontana are above the group 

 average in palatability. They are rated as fair for cattle and fair to 

 good for sheep, deer," and elk. Clipping studies on an Idaho sheep 

 range suggest that the proper-use factor for roses is 60 to 65 percent. 

 Valuable producers of food for birds and small wildlife. 



Rubus spp. 



Species of this group, while valuable food sources for many birds 

 and small mammals, are generally of secondary palatability to live- 

 stock, although R. macro petalus, R. parviflorus, and R. spectabihs rate 

 as fair sheep forage. These three species are also the most palatable 

 of the group for deer and elk, and rated as fair to good. R. leucodermis 

 is one of the most important feeds for the Olympic wapiti and Roose- 

 velt deer. 



Salix spp. 



Willows are a common and important source of browse along streams 

 and in moist meadows. Palatability varies with species, but they are 

 generally considered as fair forage for cattle and good for sheep. 

 Deer and elk will utilize some willows at all times, particularly m the 

 winter. The tall species are easily highlined, but if, following over- 



