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Calycocarpum lyonii

Cup-seed · Cupseed

Family MenispermaceaeGenus Calycocarpum

A vine with large, deeply lobed, maple-like leaves and a small spray of creamy flowers, among undergrowth
The whole plantJohn P FrielCC BY 4.0

About the plant

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

The plant

Habit
lianaPlants of the World Online
Habit
Perennial, VinePLANTS Database
Height
30.0 ft9.1 mPLANTS Database
Flower
WhitePLANTS Database
Blooms
Late SpringPLANTS Database
Native range
Native to the lower 48 statesPLANTS Database

Growing conditions

Sun
Shade tolerance: LowPLANTS Database
Soil
Adapted to medium textured soilsPLANTS Database
Soil pH
5.8-7.0PLANTS Database
Moisture
Moisture use: MediumPLANTS Database
Watering
Drought tolerance: LowPLANTS Database

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.

Worth knowing

  • Cupseed is the only species in its genus. It grows across the southeastern United States, mostly along stream banks in deciduous forest. Wikipedia: Calycocarpum

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

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1998

Difficulty Moderate 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. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C Light: either

  2. Warm moist stratification

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

  3. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C Light: either

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

100% germination in 21 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1998 · 2nd Supplement, Calycocarpum p. 21Public domain
Show the original text
Calycocarpum (Menispermaceae). C. lyoni data is now more complete. Seeds germ. 40-70D-40(2/2 in 3rd w), 70D-40-70D-40-70D(4/7 in 3rd w). Germination was counted when the radicle began to develop. The seeds expand and split earljer. The radicle takes about a month to develop to a length of 2 cm. after which it is another month before a shoot and leaves start to develop. Light or GA-3 did not initiate germination.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd Supplement, 2nd Supplement, Calycocarpum p. 21. 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 March 21, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on March 20, 2026.

  1. Warm moist stratification

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

  2. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C Light: either

  3. Warm moist stratification

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

  4. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C Light: either

  5. Warm moist stratification

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

about 12 months from start to step 5. Germination happens during step 5, in 21 days.

57% germination in 21 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1998 · 2nd Supplement, Calycocarpum p. 21Public domain
Show the original text
Calycocarpum (Menispermaceae). C. lyoni data is now more complete. Seeds germ. 40-70D-40(2/2 in 3rd w), 70D-40-70D-40-70D(4/7 in 3rd w). Germination was counted when the radicle began to develop. The seeds expand and split earljer. The radicle takes about a month to develop to a length of 2 cm. after which it is another month before a shoot and leaves start to develop. Light or GA-3 did not initiate germination.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd Supplement, 2nd Supplement, Calycocarpum p. 21. 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, 1996

Difficulty Moderate 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. 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

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

100% germination in 21 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Calycocarpum p. 27Public domain
Show the original text
Calycocarpum (Menispermaceae). C. lyoni germ. 40-70D-40(2/2 in 3rd w). None has germ. as yet in 70D-40-70D, 70L-40-70D, or 70 GA-3.
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement, 1st Supplement, Calycocarpum p. 27. 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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