Figure 36. — A vigorous seedling 

 hybrid produced by pollinating 

 emasculated flowers of a 

 prostrate^ layering antelope 

 bitterbrush with pollen from 

 cliff rose. 



Use:. Antelope bitterbrush is one o£ the most important browse plants in the West 

 for game animals, sheep, and cattle. Its fall and winter protein content helps to off- 

 set protein deficiency during these seasons when herbaceous vegetation has dried up 

 (Hormay 1943; Dietz 1972). Bitterbrush also lengthens the grazing season by providing 

 forage 4 to 6 weeks longer in the fall than the herbs. Ferguson (1972) found that 

 forage production can be increased considerably by topping mature plants (fig. 37). 

 Topping can be accomplished mechanically or by grazing the stand periodically with 

 cattle (Hormay 1943). In Utah, elk have been observed to be efficient in topping bitter- 

 brush, particularly in periods of deep snow. This shrub is virtually unsurpassed in 

 its ability to maintain itself under severe grazing conditions. 



Antelope bitterbrush is relatively much more important and abundant in California, 

 Idaho, Oregon, and Washington than other western States. Hitchcock and others (1961) 

 rated P. tvidentata as a choice ornamental for any area east of the Cascades. Layering 

 forms are useful in stabilizing and beautifying roadcuts and other exposed sites 

 (fig. 38). Because of its ability to grow on depleted soils and severe sites, it is an 

 outstanding shrub for stabilizing disturbed sites. 



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