Seasonal Variations of Available Carbohydrates in Bitterbrush

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Abstract
The pattern of carbohydrate accumulation-depletion was determined for tops and roots of bitter-brush (Purshia tridentata), an important big-game browse plant, with findings on percentage and weight distribution of mobilizable carbohydrate. Seasonal trends in both percent and weight of total available carbohydrate compounds were cyclic for all portions of the plant. Carbohydrate accumulations declined during the early growing season and reached an extended period of low percentage and weight during the rapid twig growth and seed formation stages between mid-June and mid-August. Following this period, reserves began to build up, continuing until leaf fall and thus restoring carbohydrate accumulations to a high point a little above their prevernal level. The study results are considered important to management of big-game habitat in western United States where bitterbrush extends from New Mexico to British Columbia.

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