Chemical Composition of the Sandlily (Leucocrinum montanum)

Abstract

At the Archer Substation near Cheyenne, Wyo., the leaves and flowers of the sandlily (Leucocrinum montanum) were collected separately between May 17 and 22 in 1976, 1977, and 1978 and their crude protein and mineral concentrations were determined. Average crude protein contents of leaves and flowers were 22.1 and 12.4%, respectively. The large difference in protein levels between the flowers and leaves may be a factor in the selective grazing of these parts by livestock. The mineral concentrations of Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, P, and Zn in flowers and leaves were adequate for livestock nutrition and did not differ greatly except the Ca and K contents of leaves were higher than those of flowers.