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

2. 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

3. Determining what is a propagule
White River Catspaw
Silver Buckwheat

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

5. Checking seed quality Cut test Tetrazolium staining Nakedstem Sunray
Sego Lily

6. Seed dormancy and germination requirements

7. 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

8. 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

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

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

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

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

13. Seeds physiologically dormant: dry after-ripening requirement
Lewis Flax

14. Seeds physiologically dormant: stratification requirement
Arrowleaf Balsamroot

15. Seeds physiologically dormant: stratification requirement
Wasatch Penstemon
San Rafael Catspaw

16. Seeds physiologically dormant: stratification requirement
James Buckwheat
Cow Parsnip

17. Seeds physiologically dormant: stratification requirement
Mountain Paintbrush

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

19. Seeds morphologically dormant
Fawn Lily

20. Seeds with multiple dormancy mechanisms
Wild Sweetpea

21. Seeds with multiple dormancy mechanisms
Desert Marigold

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

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

24. Variation among populations
within a species
Firecracker Penstemon

25. Variation among seeds
within a lot
Silver Buckwheat

26. Variation among seeds within a lot
Utah Penstemon

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

29. 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

30. Species requiring microbial symbionts for optimal growth
Robinson Lupine

31. Species with high seedling susceptibility to soilborne pathogens
Maple Mallow

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

33. Species with summer-dormant phenology
Gray’s Biscuitroot

34. Conclusions