Strategies for Seed Propagation of Native Forbs Dr. Susan Meyer USFS Shrub Sciences Laboratory Provo, Utah

Introduction Increased interest in forbs for biodiversity and ornamental use Nurseries called upon to propagate many unfamiliar species Strategy needed for propagation of species for which little or no information is available

Determining what is a propagule White River Catspaw Silver Buckwheat

Seed cleaning tactics Nakedstem Sunray Silver Buckwheat Wasatch Penstemon Nakedstem Sunray Silver Buckwheat

Checking seed quality Cut test Tetrazolium staining Nakedstem Sunray Sego Lily

Seed dormancy and germination requirements

Forb seed dormancy types: A practical classification Seeds non-dormant - germinate over a wide range of conditions Seeds conditionally dormant – germinate only under specific conditions Seeds physiologically dormant – lose dormancy under dry conditions lose dormancy under cold moist conditions

Forb seed dormancy types: A practical classification Seeds physically dormant – unable to take up water without treatment Seeds morphologically dormant Seeds with multiple dormancy mechanisms Seeds with cue non-responsive dormancy

Seeds non-dormant Most small-seeded Asteraceae Silver Daisy Rosy Pussytoes Most small-seeded Asteraceae

Seeds non-dormant Some high elevation species Rocky Mountain Columbine Blooming Sally Some high elevation species

Seeds non-dormant Many desert species All milkweeds Butterfly Milkweed Prince’s Plume Many desert species All milkweeds

Seeds conditionally dormant Palmer Penstemon Requires cool temperatures Fringed Sage Requires light

Seeds physiologically dormant: dry after-ripening requirement Lewis Flax

Seeds physiologically dormant: stratification requirement Arrowleaf Balsamroot

Seeds physiologically dormant: stratification requirement Wasatch Penstemon San Rafael Catspaw

Seeds physiologically dormant: stratification requirement James Buckwheat Cow Parsnip

Seeds physiologically dormant: stratification requirement Mountain Paintbrush

Seeds physically dormant Utah Sweetvetch Scarlet Globemallow Most native legumes Most native mallows

Seeds morphologically dormant Fawn Lily

Seeds with multiple dormancy mechanisms Wild Sweetpea

Seeds with multiple dormancy mechanisms Desert Marigold

Seeds with cue non-responsive dormancy Golden Bear-paw Poppy

Variation in dormancy status and germination requirements Variation among populations within a species Variation among seeds within a lot

Variation among populations within a species Firecracker Penstemon

Variation among seeds within a lot Silver Buckwheat

Variation among seeds within a lot Utah Penstemon

A decision tree for approaching seed propagation of a forb with unknown requirements

Forb seedling growth problems Species requiring microbial symbionts for optimal growth Species with high seedling susceptibility to soilborne pathogens Species with strong taproots and little lateral root growth Species with summer-dormant phenology

Species requiring microbial symbionts for optimal growth Robinson Lupine

Species with high seedling susceptibility to soilborne pathogens Maple Mallow

Species with strong taproots and little lateral root growth Desert Four O’Clock

Species with summer-dormant phenology Gray’s Biscuitroot

Conclusions