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Gardner Saltbrush
Native Perennial Shrub, Seed Code: ATGA
- Seeds per lb: 111500
- Average Height: 6-12 Inche
- Precipitation requirement: 6 Inches Minimum
Gardner saltbush is a spreading, low-growing evergreen subshrub 8 to 20 inches tall. It is much-branched, with branches producing adventitious roots where they contact the soil. Trunk bark is light gray, smooth, and somewhat shreddy.Gardner saltbush is found on plains, badlands, and in valleys, usually occupying sites that are harsh and arid with widely fluctuating temperatures and high winds. It is most common on saline, poorly developed, or clay soils with a pH of 7.8 to 8.6. Soils are typically low in available phosphorous, nitrogen, and potassium. Gardner saltbush also grows on sodic, silty, or sandy soils. Gardner saltbush provides nutritious forage for livestock and wildlife species throughout its range. Antelope, mule deer, rabbits, and mourning doves browse Gardner saltbush. Its persistent leaves are an important winter food source. It is particularly important for sheep because it provides the minimum nutritional requirement for maintenance of gestating ewes. Although overgrazing may reduce plant vigor, winter grazing of up to 35 percent of total plant biomass allows for maintenance of Gardner saltbush populations.
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