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Eriogonum sphaerocephalum

Rock Buckwheat

Family PolygonaceaeGenus Eriogonum

Rounded clusters of yellow-green flowers held on stems above gray-green leaves
FlowerSheri HagwoodPublic domain

About the plant

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

The plant

Habit
subshrubPlants of the World Online
Habit
Perennial, Shrub, SubshrubPLANTS Database
Height
1.0 ft30 cmPLANTS Database
Flower
YellowPLANTS Database
Blooms
Mid SpringPLANTS Database
Native range
California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, WashingtonGBIF Backbone Taxonomy

Growing conditions

Sun
Shade tolerance: HighPLANTS Database
Soil
Adapted to coarse, medium textured soilsPLANTS Database
Soil pH
6.0-8.6PLANTS Database
Moisture
Moisture use: LowPLANTS Database
Watering
Drought tolerance: HighPLANTS 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; GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Global Biodiversity Information Facility.

This source reports two treatments. Both are shown.

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1993

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around January 2, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

    9/24 germinated in this phase.

  2. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

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

54% germination in 3 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Eriogonum p. 139Public domain
Show the original text
Eriogonum (Potygonaceae). Germination often occurred at comparable rates at 40 and 70, it often occurred throughout each 3 m cycle, and it often extended over two cycles. The data is summarized in the following Table except for E. sphaerocephalum 70(11/22)-40(1/22) 40(9/24)-70(13/24 3rd d)
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Eriogonum p. 139. 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, 1993

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 15, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  2. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

    1/22 germinated in this phase.

Steps after step 1 run on after germination.

Germination happens during step 1; time not stated, 21 days assumed.

50% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed. — N. C. Deno, 1993 · Ch. 20, Eriogonum p. 139Public domain
Show the original text
Eriogonum (Potygonaceae). Germination often occurred at comparable rates at 40 and 70, it often occurred throughout each 3 m cycle, and it often extended over two cycles. The data is summarized in the following Table except for E. sphaerocephalum 70(11/22)-40(1/22) 40(9/24)-70(13/24 3rd d)
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd ed., Ch. 20, Eriogonum p. 139. 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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