How To Order: Quantity options listed represent bulk weights. Examples: 1 = 1 lbs, 25 = 25 bs. 
 
 
Common Name: Antelope Bitterbrush
Scientific Name: Purshia tridentata
Native / Introduced: Native
Main Uses:
~Fall/winter rangeland
~Wildlife Habitat Improvement
Height: 2-15 feet
Colors: Green with small yellow or white flowers
Flowering Season: Late Spring/Early Summer
Elevation: Up to 10,000 feet
Soil Types: Most soils, well-drained, medium to coarse textures
Tolerances: Moderate acid and alkali (not saline)
Sun or Shade: Full sun, partial shade
Minimum Precipitation: 8-12 inches
Lifecycle: Perennial
Planting Seed Rate: 1/2 - 2 lbs/ac
Estimated Seeds Per Pound: 15,000
Optimal Planting Season: Fall
Planting Depth: 1/2 - 1 inch
Stratification Required: Store in freezer and plant in fall to ensure natural stratification
 
Description
Antelope Bitterbrush is distributed throughout much of the mountainous west and can be found from near sea level to an elevation of 10,000 feet. It is semi-evergreen, deciduous shrub that grows on most soil textures. However, it thrives in moderate to deep well-drained medium to coarse-textured, sometimes rocky or gravelly soils. It can be found on valley bottoms, flats, foothills, ridges, and mountain slopes.

Antelope Bitterbrush is tolerant to moderately acid and moderately alkali soils, but it does not thrive in saline soils. It has both prostrate and upright ecotypes, and it is usually cold tolerant. The shrub provides highly palatable and nutritious forage for livestock and wildlife, especially in the fall and winter. Additionally, it is extremely important to many species of wildlife for both food and cover.

Antelope Bitterbrush has moderate to excellent grazing tolerance and is one of the most important species used in range and wildlife habitat improvement projects on fall and winter ranges on adapted sites. Furthermore, it is valuable for mining, road, and pipeline construction revegetation, as well as for native landscaping. It is important to use seed from sources with compatible environmental conditions to ensure successful growth.
 
Resources
NRCS Plant Profile: https://plants.usda.gov/home/plantProfile?symbol=PUTR2
NRCS Plant Guide: https://plants.usda.gov/DocumentLibrary/plantguide/pdf/pg_putr2.pdf
NRCS Fact Sheet: https://plants.usda.gov/DocumentLibrary/factsheet/pdf/fs_putr2.pdf
 
Photo Credit: Matt Lavin and Steve Hurst