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| ## ANTELOPE BITTERBRUSH {#antelope-bitterbrush .Title-Header}         |
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| *Purshia tridentate (Pursh)* DC.                                      |
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| Plant Symbol = PUTR2                                                  |
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Contributed by: USDA NRCS California State Office and Lockeford Plant
Materials Center, California Upper Colorado Environmental Plant Center,
Colorado

![](media/image3.jpeg){width="3.0in" height="4.094444444444444in"}

##### Steve Parr, UCEPC, Meeker, Colorado {#steve-parr-ucepc-meeker-colorado .Header-3}

#####  {#section .Header-3}

##### Alternate Names {#alternate-names .Header-3}

##### Antelopebrush, buckbrush, quininebrush, bitterbrush, antelope-brush, quinine brush, deer-brush, black sage {#antelopebrush-buckbrush-quininebrush-bitterbrush-antelope-brush-quinine-brush-deer-brush-black-sage .Header-3}

##### Uses {#uses .Header-3}

##### Antelope bitterbrush is one of the most important palatable native shrubs in the western United States. It provides high quality, important spring and winter browse for domestic livestock, antelope, deer, and elk. Its seed is an important source of food for small animals and the plant provides cover for small animals and birds. It is considered medium quality coverage for sage-grouse. The shrub is also used for reclamation and erosion control of mined areas and has the potential for use as a living snow fence, roadside beautification, and xeriscape plantings. {#antelope-bitterbrush-is-one-of-the-most-important-palatable-native-shrubs-in-the-western-united-states.-it-provides-high-quality-important-spring-and-winter-browse-for-domestic-livestock-antelope-deer-and-elk.-its-seed-is-an-important-source-of-food-for-small-animals-and-the-plant-provides-cover-for-small-animals-and-birds.-it-is-considered-medium-quality-coverage-for-sage-grouse.-the-shrub-is-also-used-for-reclamation-and-erosion-control-of-mined-areas-and-has-the-potential-for-use-as-a-living-snow-fence-roadside-beautification-and-xeriscape-plantings. .Header-3}

*Historic Native American Uses:* Western Indian groups used leaf
poultice or wash for itches, rashes, insect bites, chickenpox, and
measles. Leaf tea was used as a general tonic and for colds, pneumonia,
liver disease, to expel worms, and as an emetic and laxative for stomach
ache and constipation. Twigs, leaves, and berries were used as a
laxative. Root teas were used for coughs, lung and bronchial infections,
fever, and to facilitate delivery of placenta.

##### Status {#status .Header-3}

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural
Resources for this plant's current status (e.g. threatened or endangered
species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

#####  {#section-1 .Header-3}

##### Description {#description .Header-3}

*General*: Antelope bitterbrush is a slow growing

shrub that is moderate to very deep rooted with wide ecotypic
variations. It is normally 2 to 6 feet in height and up to 8 feet in
width with wedge shaped, three lobed leaves (some are persistent in
winter). Leaves can vary in color from grey green to bright green. Some
plants have branches near the soil that layer (branches that touch the
soil develop roots) providing additional rooting for the plant.

Flowering occurs in late spring to early summer. The spindle-shaped seed
shatters easily at maturity. Flowers are small, varying from white to
yellow, and produced profusely along each leader. The seeds are large
for the species---15,500 per pound. They are about one-fourth inch long
and obovate. Seeds, stems, and leaves are nontoxic.

Individual bitterbrush plants exhibit considerable variation for growth
form. Bitterbrush's growth forms vary from a uniform, erect growth habit
to more decumbent, layering forms. Users are encouraged to consider the
various forms of bitterbrush in choosing a strain best suited to their
needs.

*Distribution*: Antelope bitterbrush is an important native browse shrub
in the intermountain Western United States. It occurs from New Mexico
north to Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, and British Columbia, west to
Idaho, and Washington, south to Oregon, California, and Nevada. For
current distribution, please consult the Plant Profile page for this
species on the PLANTS Web site.

*Habitat*: Antelope bitterbrush occurs most often as part of a mixed
shrub community, but occasionally is found in nearly pure stands. It is
associated with a variety of understory grasses and forbs. It can also
be an understory plant in association with taller growing trees.

##### Adaptation {#adaptation .Header-3}

Antelope bitterbrush is adapted to a wide range of soils with 8 to 34
inches of annual precipitation. It is normally found at elevations of
4000 to 8500 feet, but has been noted at 11,000 feet in California. The
shrub has good tolerance to drought and cold.

In California, bitterbrush is associated with big sagebrush (*Artemisia
tridentata*) and rabbitbrush (*Chrysothamnus* sp.). It occurs naturally
on dry lake beds, alluvial fans or terraces, and low foothills. It
occurs in soils that are deep, gravelly, loamy coarse sands derived from
granite, with pH ranging from 6.0 to 7.0. Tests have shown that
bitterbrush has high potential for use on deep, coarse, well-drained,
neutral to slightly acidic soils in areas that have 12-24 inches of
annual precipitation.

##### Establishment {#establishment .Header-3}

##### Natural establishment of antelope bitterbrush occurs in years with good seed production when rodents cache seed and do not use all of the caches. Moisture is necessary the first few years of seedling growth for establishment. Late fall or winter seeding is recommended and competition can be a problem for establishment. Seeds should be drilled about 1 inch deep at a rate of 1/2 to 2 (3) pounds per acre. Rates are doubled if broadcasting and seeds do need to be covered. In California, pretreatment with hydrogen peroxide is required to break dormancy for spring seeding and seedlings are susceptible to late frosts.  {#natural-establishment-of-antelope-bitterbrush-occurs-in-years-with-good-seed-production-when-rodents-cache-seed-and-do-not-use-all-of-the-caches.-moisture-is-necessary-the-first-few-years-of-seedling-growth-for-establishment.-late-fall-or-winter-seeding-is-recommended-and-competition-can-be-a-problem-for-establishment.-seeds-should-be-drilled-about-1-inch-deep-at-a-rate-of-12-to-2-3-pounds-per-acre.-rates-are-doubled-if-broadcasting-and-seeds-do-need-to-be-covered.-in-california-pretreatment-with-hydrogen-peroxide-is-required-to-break-dormancy-for-spring-seeding-and-seedlings-are-susceptible-to-late-frosts. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-2 .Header-3}

Bitterbrush seedlings are often transplanted on critical sites. In such
castes, moisture must be adequate to ensure survival in the first year.
One-year-old bare-root or containerized seedling stock, 6 to 24 inches
tall, is recommended.

#####  {#section-3 .Header-3}

##### Plants should not be used for the first four years and seedlings need protection until they are 8 to 10 inches tall. Rodents normally cache seeds within 50 to 75 feet of an existing seed source. Suitable environmental conditions may allow natural revegetation in only one out of 20 years. Antelope bitterbrush can also be established with tubling plants. These should be planted in the spring or early summer. Establishment can be slow; however, stands tend to be long-lived.  {#plants-should-not-be-used-for-the-first-four-years-and-seedlings-need-protection-until-they-are-8-to-10-inches-tall.-rodents-normally-cache-seeds-within-50-to-75-feet-of-an-existing-seed-source.-suitable-environmental-conditions-may-allow-natural-revegetation-in-only-one-out-of-20-years.-antelope-bitterbrush-can-also-be-established-with-tubling-plants.-these-should-be-planted-in-the-spring-or-early-summer.-establishment-can-be-slow-however-stands-tend-to-be-long-lived. .Header-3}

Several insects and diseases are known to damage the foliage, seed, and
seedlings of bitterbrush, and are more or less susceptible than other
species. High-density populations of grasshoppers can destroy seedlings.

##### Management {#management .Header-3}

##### Since antelope bitterbrush is a very palatable shrub for big game and livestock, its use should be controlled or it can be easily eliminated by overuse. The shrub is most often used by big game in the fall, winter, or early spring when other plants are still covered by snow. Livestock tend to use the shrub during the growing season when use is more detrimental to vigor. Stands of bitterbrush can become decadent with no use and mature plants should be browsed for good forage production and vigor. However, no more that 50 to 60 percent of current annual growth should be removed. The literature indicates that bitterbrush is not a fire resistant shrub, but is fire dependent and light to moderate fires may enhance stands. {#since-antelope-bitterbrush-is-a-very-palatable-shrub-for-big-game-and-livestock-its-use-should-be-controlled-or-it-can-be-easily-eliminated-by-overuse.-the-shrub-is-most-often-used-by-big-game-in-the-fall-winter-or-early-spring-when-other-plants-are-still-covered-by-snow.-livestock-tend-to-use-the-shrub-during-the-growing-season-when-use-is-more-detrimental-to-vigor.-stands-of-bitterbrush-can-become-decadent-with-no-use-and-mature-plants-should-be-browsed-for-good-forage-production-and-vigor.-however-no-more-that-50-to-60-percent-of-current-annual-growth-should-be-removed.-the-literature-indicates-that-bitterbrush-is-not-a-fire-resistant-shrub-but-is-fire-dependent-and-light-to-moderate-fires-may-enhance-stands. .Header-3}

##### Pests and Potential Problems {#pests-and-potential-problems .Header-3}

Many species of insects and mites inhabit antelope bitterbrush, several
of these are beneficial. It should be noted that bitterbrush is insect
pollinated. Insects that cause problems include defoliators such as
mountain mahogany loper and Western tussock moth. Some of the noted seed
insects are bitterbrush seed midge, Say's stinkbug, dark bitterbrush
leaf tier, and flower thrips. Large numbers of seedlings and small
plants have been destroyed by cutworms and false wireworms. Diseases
associated with bitterbrush include root rot, root and stem wilt, and
root-stem canker. Seedlings have been damaged by damping off (a disease
caused by fungi). A beneficial organism associated with antelope
bitterbrush is the nitrogen-fixing endophyte *Frankia purshiae*.

##### Environmental Concerns {#environmental-concerns .Header-3}

##### There are no known environmental concerns associated with antelope bitterbrush. {#there-are-no-known-environmental-concerns-associated-with-antelope-bitterbrush. .Header-3}

##### Seeds and Plant Production {#seeds-and-plant-production .Header-3}

##### In Colorado, seed may not be produced in wildland stands for 8 to 20 years depending on existing conditions. Browsing should be reduced to 30 percent or less to obtain good seed production. Seed may not be produced from mature plants when stressed from drought or late freezes. Seed can be collected by hand by shaking branches and allowing the seed to fall in hand held collectors. Seeds vary in size from 15,000 to 33,000 per pound and germination normally ranges from 85 to 95 percent. A cold moist stratification period of up to six weeks may be required to obtain good germination. Tublings can be grown in a greenhouse for planting in a period of six months to one year.  {#in-colorado-seed-may-not-be-produced-in-wildland-stands-for-8-to-20-years-depending-on-existing-conditions.-browsing-should-be-reduced-to-30-percent-or-less-to-obtain-good-seed-production.-seed-may-not-be-produced-from-mature-plants-when-stressed-from-drought-or-late-freezes.-seed-can-be-collected-by-hand-by-shaking-branches-and-allowing-the-seed-to-fall-in-hand-held-collectors.-seeds-vary-in-size-from-15000-to-33000-per-pound-and-germination-normally-ranges-from-85-to-95-percent.-a-cold-moist-stratification-period-of-up-to-six-weeks-may-be-required-to-obtain-good-germination.-tublings-can-be-grown-in-a-greenhouse-for-planting-in-a-period-of-six-months-to-one-year. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-4 .Header-3}

In California, mature seed must be harvested with 3 to 10 days of
ripening because it shatters quickly after reaching maturity. Seed may
be harvested into canvas hoppers or aluminum seed collection trays
positioned under the shrubs prior to seed fall. Seed collection and
orchard maintenance are simplified by the upright growth form.

#####  {#section-5 .Header-3}

##### A 3.6 to 3.6 m to 4.9 x 4.9 m (12 x12 ft to 16 x 16 ft) spacing is recommended for antelope bitterbrush seed orchards. Plants in wildland stands reach full seed production in 8 to 20 years. With appropriate cultural practices, this period may be reduced to about 5 years for seed orchards. Nine-year old shrubs grown at 2.4 m (8 ft) spacings without irrigation or other cultural treatments at the Boise Shrub Garden, produced 118 g (0.26 lbs) of seed per shrub or 199 kg/ha (177 lbs/acre).  {#a-3.6-to-3.6-m-to-4.9-x-4.9-m-12-x12-ft-to-16-x-16-ft-spacing-is-recommended-for-antelope-bitterbrush-seed-orchards.-plants-in-wildland-stands-reach-full-seed-production-in-8-to-20-years.-with-appropriate-cultural-practices-this-period-may-be-reduced-to-about-5-years-for-seed-orchards.-nine-year-old-shrubs-grown-at-2.4-m-8-ft-spacings-without-irrigation-or-other-cultural-treatments-at-the-boise-shrub-garden-produced-118-g-0.26-lbs-of-seed-per-shrub-or-199-kgha-177-lbsacre. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-6 .Header-3}

##### Seed is easily cleaned to a purity of 95 percent using a two-screen fanning mill and a barley debearder. Shriveled black seed is nonviable and should be separated with the chaff. Seeds of bitterbrush are relatively large, averaging 34,507 seeds/kg (15,685 seeds/lb) for cleaned seed, with germination averaging about 84 percent. Seeds of bitterbrush remain viable for 15 years or more in open storage. {#seed-is-easily-cleaned-to-a-purity-of-95-percent-using-a-two-screen-fanning-mill-and-a-barley-debearder.-shriveled-black-seed-is-nonviable-and-should-be-separated-with-the-chaff.-seeds-of-bitterbrush-are-relatively-large-averaging-34507-seedskg-15685-seedslb-for-cleaned-seed-with-germination-averaging-about-84-percent.-seeds-of-bitterbrush-remain-viable-for-15-years-or-more-in-open-storage. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-7 .Header-3}

##### On rangeland sites antelope bitterbrush is normally seeded in late fall or winter to permit field stratification of the seed. Pretreatment with hydrogen peroxide is required to break dormancy for spring seeding. Seedlings are susceptible to late frosts. Plants develop very slowly and must be protected from competition during the first two seasons. Recommended seeding rates are 1.2 to 3.3 kg/ha (1 to 3 lbs/acre). Bitterbrush may be established on critical sites by transplanting.  {#on-rangeland-sites-antelope-bitterbrush-is-normally-seeded-in-late-fall-or-winter-to-permit-field-stratification-of-the-seed.-pretreatment-with-hydrogen-peroxide-is-required-to-break-dormancy-for-spring-seeding.-seedlings-are-susceptible-to-late-frosts.-plants-develop-very-slowly-and-must-be-protected-from-competition-during-the-first-two-seasons.-recommended-seeding-rates-are-1.2-to-3.3-kgha-1-to-3-lbsacre.-bitterbrush-may-be-established-on-critical-sites-by-transplanting. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-8 .Header-3}

##### Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area of origin) {#cultivars-improved-and-selected-materials-and-area-of-origin .Header-3}

'Lassen' is a cultivar of antelope bitterbrush released in 1984 by USDA
Forest Service, Shrub Sciences Laboratory, Provo, Utah, Soil
Conservation Service, and Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, Ephraim
Utah. Seven other agencies in California, Idaho, Nevada, and Oregon
cooperated. Its origin is near Janesville in Lassen County, California.

Fountain Green germplasm is a source identified release of antelope
bitterbrush. It was released in 1990 by the USDA Forest Service, Shrub
Sciences Laboratory, Provo, Utah, and the Utah Division of Wildlife
Resources, Ephraim, Utah. Its origin is North of Fountain Green, Utah.

Maybell germplasm was released in 1997 as a selected class release by
Upper Colorado Environmental Plant Center. Five other agencies
participated in the release. Maybell's origin is Moffat County in
Northwest Colorado, near the town of Maybell.

##### References {#references .Header-3}

##### Block, Neil D. *Purshia tridentata* [**http://www.usask.ca/agriculture/plantsci/classes/range/purshia.html**](http://www.usask.ca/agriculture/plantsci/classes/range/purshia.html)*.* Accessed: May 2005. {#block-neil-d.-purshia-tridentata-httpwww.usask.caagricultureplantsciclassesrangepurshia.html.-accessed-may-2005. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-9 .Header-3}

##### Foster, Steven and Christopher Hobbs. 2002*. Western medicinal plants and herbs.* Houghton Mifflin Company, New York, New York. 296-7 p. {#foster-steven-and-christopher-hobbs.-2002.-western-medicinal-plants-and-herbs.-houghton-mifflin-company-new-york-new-york.-296-7-p. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-10 .Header-3}

##### Giunta, Bruce C., Richard Stevens, Kent R. Jorgensen, and A. Perry Plummer 1978. *Antelope* *Bitterbrush* -- *An Important Wildland Shrub.* Utah State Div. of Wildlife Resources. 48 pp. {#giunta-bruce-c.-richard-stevens-kent-r.-jorgensen-and-a.-perry-plummer-1978.-antelope-bitterbrush-an-important-wildland-shrub.-utah-state-div.-of-wildlife-resources.-48-pp. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-11 .Header-3}

##### Plummer, A. Perry 1968. *Restoring big* --*game Range in Utah.* Utah Div. of Fish and Game. 183 pp. {#plummer-a.-perry-1968.-restoring-big-game-range-in-utah.-utah-div.-of-fish-and-game.-183-pp. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-12 .Header-3}

##### Shaw, Nancy and Stephen B. Monsen. No date. *Notice of release of 'Lassen' antelope bitterbrush.* USDA NRCS. {#shaw-nancy-and-stephen-b.-monsen.-no-date.-notice-of-release-of-lassen-antelope-bitterbrush.-usda-nrcs. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-13 .Header-3}

##### Wasser, Clinton H. 1982. *Ecology and culture of selected species useful in revegetating disturbed lands in the West.* U.S. Dept. Int., Fish Wildl. Serv. FWS/OBS-82/56. 347 pp. {#wasser-clinton-h.-1982.-ecology-and-culture-of-selected-species-useful-in-revegetating-disturbed-lands-in-the-west.-u.s.-dept.-int.-fish-wildl.-serv.-fwsobs-8256.-347-pp. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-14 .Header-3}

##### USDA NRCS. September 1986. '*Lassen Antelope Bitterbrush'* brochure. Davis, California {#usda-nrcs.-september-1986.-lassen-antelope-bitterbrush-brochure.-davis-california .Header-3}

#####  {#section-15 .Header-3}

##### USDA- Soil Conservation Service 1991.*Conservation tree and shrub cultivars in the United States.* Ag. Handbook 692. U.S. Govt. Printing Office.50 pp. {#usda--soil-conservation-service-1991.conservation-tree-and-shrub-cultivars-in-the-united-states.-ag.-handbook-692.-u.s.-govt.-printing-office.50-pp. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-16 .Header-3}

##### Release information for 'Lassen' and Maybell Select Class. {#release-information-for-lassen-and-maybell-select-class. .Header-3}

#####  {#section-17 .Header-3}

##### Prepared By {#prepared-by .Header-3}

*Dyer, Dave*, USDA NRCS Plant Materials Center, Lockeford, CA and *Reina
O'Beck*, California State Office, Davis, CA and *Gary L. Noller, Ph.D.,
Plant Materials Consultant,* Upper Colorado Environmental Plant Center,
Meeker, Colorado

#####  {#section-18 .Header-3}

##### Species Coordinator {#species-coordinator .Header-3}

*Dyer, Dave*, USDA NRCS Plant Materials Center, Lockeford, CA.

##### Edited: 070814 jsp {#edited-070814-jsp .Header-4}

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

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