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Alophia drummondii

Pinewoods Lily · Propeller Flower · Purple Pleatleaf

Family IridaceaeGenus Alophia

Violet iris-like flowers with speckled centers among grass
Flowersonnia hillCC BY 2.0

About the plant

What it is and where it grows — not part of any germination protocol.

Habit
bulbous geophytePlants of the World Online
Habit
Perennial, Forb/herbPLANTS Database
Flower
Dark purpleFlora of North America
Native range
Arkansas, Bolivia, Guyana, Louisiana, Mexico Gulf, Mexico Northeast and elsewhereGBIF Backbone Taxonomy

Toxicity is noted only where a source states it. No note here is not a finding of safety.

Sources: Plants of the World Online — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; PLANTS Database — USDA NRCS; Flora of North America — Flora of North America Editorial Committee; GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Global Biodiversity Information Facility.

Worth knowing

Two sources report three treatments between them. All are shown.

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1998

Difficulty Low Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 8, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Gibberellic acid soak

  2. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C

No stated waiting before sowing. Then 28 days to germinate.

100% germination in 14–28 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1998 · 2nd Supplement, Alophia p. 12Public domain
Show the original text
Alophia (Iridaceae). Although light blocks germination, the rate and the percent germination in 70D are improved by a prior period of 8 w in 70L in both of the species studied. This is another version of the delayed light effects discussed earlier. A. drummondi has been reinvestigated with a new sample which germ. much better and gives a clearer picture of the pattern. This germ. 70D(50% in 4-6 w)-40(5%)- 70D, 70 GA-3(100% in 2-4 w), 70L(none), and 40-70D(40% in 2nd w)-40-70D. When the sample in 70L was shifted to 70D after 8 w, 100% germ. on the 7th d. When the sample in the 70D-40-70D treatment was then given 2 m in 70L followed by a shift to 70D, 20% more germ. in 3rd w.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd Supplement, 2nd Supplement, Alophia p. 12. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 2

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1998

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around December 22, 2026 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  2. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C Light: dark

  3. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  4. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C Light: dark

Steps after step 2 run on after germination.

about 3 months from start to step 2. Germination happens during step 2, in 14 days.

40% germination in 14 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1998 · 2nd Supplement, Alophia p. 12Public domain
Show the original text
Alophia (Iridaceae). Although light blocks germination, the rate and the percent germination in 70D are improved by a prior period of 8 w in 70L in both of the species studied. This is another version of the delayed light effects discussed earlier. A. drummondi has been reinvestigated with a new sample which germ. much better and gives a clearer picture of the pattern. This germ. 70D(50% in 4-6 w)-40(5%)- 70D, 70 GA-3(100% in 2-4 w), 70L(none), and 40-70D(40% in 2nd w)-40-70D. When the sample in 70L was shifted to 70D after 8 w, 100% germ. on the 7th d. When the sample in the 70D-40-70D treatment was then given 2 m in 70L followed by a shift to 70D, 20% more germ. in 3rd w.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd Supplement, 2nd Supplement, Alophia p. 12. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 3

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around September 17, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on September 16, 2026.

  1. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  2. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  3. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

about 6 months from start to step 3. Germination happens during step 3, in 21 days.

17% germination in 21 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Alophia p. 92Public domain
Show the original text
Alophia (Iridaceae). A. drummondii germ. 70-40-70(1/6 in 3rd w).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Alophia p. 92. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

How each step is done, in Deno’s words, and what Verified and Derived mean.

Germination trials

Readers’ own records of sowing this species, published after review. Share your trial · All trials

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