Types and Categories of Range Plants

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By: lavanyaraj10 (3 month(s) ago)

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Types and Categories of Range Plants : 

Types and Categories of Range Plants

Objectives : 

Objectives Categorize plants according to: growth form, life span, season of growth, origin, and forage value

Growth Forms of Rangeland Plants : 

Growth Forms of Rangeland Plants 4 major growth forms: Grasses Grass-like Forbs Shrubs

Grasses : 

Grasses Most important and abundant kind of range plant Cover more than 1/5th of the earth’s land surface Jointed stems Stems are hollow between the joints (nodes) Leaves are in 2 rows along the stem Veins in the leaves are parallel

Grass-like Plants : 

Grass-like Plants Look like grasses but have solid stems without joints Stems are often triangular Veins in the leaves are parallel Includes sedges and rushes

Forbs : 

Forbs Herbaceous plants Broad leaves and showy flowers Above-ground growth dies back each year Veins in the leaves are net veins although some forbs have veins that are parallel Range wildflowers and weeds

Shrubs : 

Shrubs Woody plants with several main stems Usually have broad leaves

Life Span : 

Life Span Length of time from the beginning of development to death of the plant Annuals – live for one growing season Winter annuals Summer annuals Biennials – live for two growing seasons Perennials – live from one year to the next

Winter Annuals : 

Winter Annuals Summer Fall Winter Spring germinate dormant produce seed plant dies

Summer Annuals : 

Summer Annuals Summer Fall Winter Spring produce seed plant dies germinate grow

Biennials : 

Biennials Summer & Fall Summer Spring Spring Winter Winter germinate go dormant produce rosette & developed roots plant dies produce seed produce flowering stalk

Perennials : 

Perennials Cycle continues until plant eventually dies

Season of Growth : 

Season of Growth Cool Season Make most growth in cool weather of spring and fall Flower mostly in early summer Provide spring/fall forage at lower elevations and summer forage at high elevations Adapted to cool, wet conditions Most plants in Idaho

Season of Growth : 

Season of Growth Warm Season Make most growth in warm summer periods Flower from mid-summer to early fall Provide forage in summer months Adapted to hotter, drier conditions Some of the warm regions of Idaho have a few warm season plants

Origin : 

Origin Area where the plant evolved Native plants – originated in North America Introduced plants – Intentionally or accidentally brought to North America Invasive Species (Noxious Weeds) – weeds that have been specifically identified as “noxious” by state law 35 Noxious Weeds in Idaho

Forage Value : 

Forage Value How well a plant provides nutrients to grazing animals High – plants that are nutritious, palatable, and produce abundant forage Medium – plants that provide adequate nutrition if eaten Low – plants that do not provide adequate nutrients Poisonous - contain natural plant compounds that are toxic or poisonous to herbivores