Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 4.1:
Examples of native shrubs offering complementary stock fodder
Common name
Scientific name
Palatability*
Old Man Saltbush
Atriplex nummularia
Eaten readily when other forage is scarce
Bladder Saltbush
Atriplex vesicaria
Eaten after more palatable plants have been
removed
Creeping Saltbush
Atriplex semibaccata
Although not keenly sought by stock, it is
perhaps the most readily grazed of the
saltbushes
Nitre Goosefoot
Chenopodium
nitrariaceum
Utilised during stress periods, considered a
valuable drought reserve
Cannon-ball
Dissocarpus paradoxus
Utilised when palatable annual forbs have
been grazed
Climbing Saltbush
Einadia nutans
Useful forage plant
Ruby Saltbush
Enchylaena tomentosa
Provides a useful reserve for drought
periods
Cottonbush
Maireana aphylla
Utilised in stress periods
Yanga Bush
Maireana brevifolia
Not browsed while other forage is available
but withstands browsing moderately well
Black Bluebush
Maireana pyramidata
Generally regarded as drought forage only
Thorny Saltbush
Rhagodia spinescens
Moderately palatable, browsed heavily
when other forage is scarce
Short-winged
Copperburr
Sclerolaena brachyptera
Relatively palatable, reliable forage species
Grey Copperburr
Sclerolaena diacantha
Heavily utilised when more acceptable forbs
and grasses are not available, has high
nutritive value
Woolly Copperburr
Sclerolaena lanicuspis
Considered good forage, particularly in
early growth stages
Lignum**
Muehlenbeckia florulenta
May be used when other feed is scarce
Dillon Bush**
Nitraria billardieri
Leaves may be browsed by sheep when
feed is otherwise scarce
* Palatability notes from Brooke and McGarva. 48
** Not members of the Chenopod family.
Man Saltbush plantings. Our results are preliminary, but the animals already
found to inhabit saltbush plantings include 31 species of birds (including the
Red-capped Robin and Red-chested Button-quail), one species of native small
mammal (the Fat-tailed Dunnart), one species of snake (the Curl Snake) and six
species of lizards. Nonethless, such monoculture plantings probably offer less
habitat value than a more natural system comprised of scattered saltbushes
interspersed with species of native grasses.
Many species of saltbush are susceptible to overgrazing and trampling which
impairs their root systems and hence the capacity to extract limited soil moisture
Search WWH ::




Custom Search