frequent codominant or subdominant species with shadscale in areas where they occur 

 together. Numerous ecotypes of shadscale enable it to grow over a wide range of sites. 



Use: Shadscale, in contrast to fourwing saltbush, becomes rigid and spiny as it 

 matures, and during the winter some forms become nearly leafless. However, persistence 

 of leaves varies greatly among areas of occurrence. The spiny characteristic saves 

 this species from heavier grazing than it would otherwise receive and is believed to be 

 a factor in its survival. Shadscale, nevertheless, is palatable to all classes of 

 livestock; the seeds are the most preferred and nutritious part of the plant [U.S. 

 Forest Service 1937). According to Sampson and Jespersen (1963), as the leaves and 

 fruits drop in the autumn, they often accumulate around the parent shrubs. Livestock 

 readily seek this accumulation. Sampson and Jespersen (1963) gave shadscale a browse 

 rating of good to fair for sheep, goats, and deer; fair for cattle; and poor to useless 

 for horses. Hutchings (1952) recorded heavy local damage to productive shadscale range 

 by a snout moth (Pyralidae). The moth damage cleared the way for invasion of noxious 

 halogeton [Halogeton glomeratus) . 



Since shadscale is generally more salt tolerant than fourwing, it apparently could 

 be used for restoration of and soil stabilization on salt-bearing ranges. However, most 

 trials have shown the species to be difficult to establish from direct seeding. It 

 does establish well from transplanting in the early spring when soil moisture remains 

 high for at least 6 weeks. Paradoxically, over a period of years, it shows good 

 natural reproduction. Evidently, a seed source builds up in the ground to sprout and 

 become established during favorable springs. 



>4tr/p/ex corrugafa (mat saltbush) 



Mat saltbush is a low shrub that forms dense, extremely prostrate, nearly white mats 

 5 to 20 times wider than they are high (fig. 19). The prostrate branches often produce 

 adventitious roots where they contact the soil. The bark is soft, spongy, and white. 



Figure 19. — Mat saltbush. (Atriplex corrugata) growing on heavij saline soil (mancos shale) 



in Emery County, Utah. 



15 



