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The Forest Service National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources (RNGR) is a leading source of technical information for nurseries and land managers regarding production and planting of trees and other native plants for reforestation, restoration, and conservation.

 
NPN Protocol Details Image

Eriophyllum (lanatum)

John W. Hunt
Project Manager/Ecologist
University of California - Chico
California State University, Chico
Chico, California 95929-0555
530-228-7594
530-898-4363 (fax)
jwhunt@csuchico.edu
www.idahobotanicalgarden.org

Family Scientific Name: Asteraceae
Family Common Name: Sunflower
Scientific Name: Eriophyllum lanatum
Common Name: Woolly sunflower
Ecotype: Seed collected at The Nature Conservancy's Dye Creek Preserve and Hog's Back Ridge, eastern Tehama County, California
General Distribution: "California, British Columbia, Montana, Wyoming, Nevada. Generally drier habitats below 4,000 meters (Hickman 1993).
"
Propagation Goal: plants
Propagation Method: seed
ProductType: Container (plug)
Stock Type: Potted nursery stock
Time To Grow: 0
Target Specifications: First year seedling 4-15 cm tall with fibrous roots.
Propagule Collection: Collect whole fruiting heads when fruit is completely ripe from mid-summer to early fall.
Propagule Processing: Seed can be collected rapidly in large quantities by collecting whole ripe flower heads from mid-summer to early fall. Seed can be rapidly separated from fruits by blending whole dry fruits in standard house blender and then sifitng and/or blow-drying to separate seed from chaff. Approximately 180-250 seeds per gram, depending on individual, population, year and cleanliness of seed. An average of 124 seeds per head were observed (low of 7 and high of 224).
Pre-Planting Treatments: None, though clean dry seed was placed in dry, cold storage following collection and prior to sowing.
Growing Area Preparation/
Annual Practices for Perennial Crops:
During November 2004, seed was directly sown into 1.5" deep flats containing a potting mixture of approximately 1:1:1:2 sand:pumice:peat moss:fir bark mixture. Flats were placed in an outdoor cold frame from late-fall though spring. Most seedlings were transplanted into various sized pots ranging form D-pots to 3x4" plastic containers (some seedlings were not transplanted) using the same potting mixture. Active growth occurs well into summer, though summer watering may result in fungal growth and rot. Better growth may be obtainined during the first year by avoiding transplanting (seed directly into larger containers rather than flats). Based on results of direct seeding in the field, better above and below gound growth may be obtained by planting in native soil (e.g.loam) rather than potting soil. Loam appears to have lower fluctuations in moisture and temperature that stress seedlings and reduce growth during the first year. Growth from seed to dormant seedling follows the first fall rains through the spring-summer dry-down. Under good growing conditions, this species may flower within the first year.
Establishment Phase: During November 2004, seed was directly sown into 1.5" deep flats containing a potting mixture of approximately 1:1:1:2 sand:pumice:peat moss:fir bark mixture. Flats were placed in an outdoor cold frame from late-fall though spring. Most seedlings were transplanted into various sized pots ranging form D-pots to 3x4" plastic containers (some seedlings were not transplanted) using the same potting mixture. Active growth occurs well into summer, though summer watering may result in fungal growth and rot. Better growth may be obtainined during the first year by avoiding transplanting (seed directly into larger containers rather than flats). Based on results of direct seeding in the field, better above and below gound growth may be obtained by planting in native soil (e.g.loam) rather than potting soil. Loam appears to have lower fluctuations in moisture and temperature that stress seedlings and reduce growth during the first year. Growth from seed to dormant seedling follows the first fall rains through the spring-summer dry-down. Under good growing conditions, this species may flower within the first year.
Length of Establishment Phase: Transplantable sprouts were established within approximately 3 weeks.
Active Growth Phase: Active growth was observed from the onset of autumn rains (seed swelling) until mid-late summer (the typical flowering period for this ecotype). Above ground growth for mature individuals may not start until mid-winter or early spring.
Length of Active Growth Phase: Approximately 8-9 months.
Hardening Phase: Hardening is not necessary as the active growth is generally initiated between mid-late fall and continues until early fall, at which time senescenc occurs. Growth resumes following fall rains and possibly not until late winter/early spring (for older plants).
Harvesting, Storage and Shipping: If soil is kept moist, individuals can be grown through the summer.
Other Comments: Flowering: Mid December - August. Seed collection late summer-fall (Oswald and Ahart 2002). Approximately 210 seeds per gram; Very high germination rates. Clean seed can be collected rapidly by gathering whole fruiting heads, "exploding" in a blender and sifting/blowing off chaff. May flower first year. Typically grows from fall-winter through to flowering in late summer/early fall.
References: Hickman, James, Ed. 1993. The Jepson Manual: Higher Plants of California. University of California Press, Berkeley, California.; Oswald, Vern and Lowell Ahart. 2002. Selected Plants of Northern California and Adjacent Nevada. CNPS

Citation:

Leigh, Mark; Pushnik, James C.; Boul, Rachelle D.; Brown, Matthew R.; Hunt, John W.; Koenig, David A.. 2006. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Eriophyllum lanatum plants Potted nursery stock; University of California - Chico Chico, California. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2024/07/03). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.