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