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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

Carex (phaeocephala)

Mark E. Majerus
USDA NRCS - Bridger Plant Materials Center
99 South River Road, Rte. 2, Box 1189
Bridger, Montana 59014-9718
(406) 662-3579
(406) 662-3428 (fax)
mmajerus@mt.nrcs.usda.gov
http://plant-materials.nrcs.usda.gov/mtpmc
Family Scientific Name: Cyperaceae
Family Common Name: Sedge Family
Scientific Name: Carex phaeocephala Piper
Common Name: Dunhead sedge
Species Code: CARPHA
Ecotype: Ecotype collected from Logan Pass area of Glacier NationalPark.
Propagation Goal: plants
Propagation Method: seed
ProductType: Container (plug)
Stock Type: Propagation Goal: Develop technology for direct seeding of this species for high elevation habitat restoration.
Time To Grow: 0
Propagule Processing: Process seed heads in a hammermill with a #8 (0.125 in diameter holes) screen. Hand rubbing of small lots works equally well. Clean processed materials over a fanning mill with moderate wind to remove light seed and chaff.
Pre-Planting Treatments: Our only experience is with a 6-month cold moist chilling in a refrigerator maintained at 34 to 37øF. The seeds were sown on germination pads in petri dishes and kept moist for the duration of the cold chill. The stratified seeds were subsequently exposed to 3 irradiance levels (full, partial, zero) in an environmental growth chamber maintained at 86øF days for an 8-hour daylight photoperiod and 68øF nights for 16 hours. Each treatment consisted of 5 reps of 25 seed/rep. This species was not sensitive to decreasing light intensities from the full to partial irradiance levels, but decreased sharply at the zero irradiance. Germination decreased only slightly from 27.2% at full irradiance (mean 268 footcandles) to 26.4% at partial (mean 23 foot candles). Germination decreased sharply at the zero irradiance level to 0%. Seedling mortality was 0% at all irradiance levels. There was, however, a measurable gain in the germination (+8% after 61 days) of the zero irradiance treatments when exposed to a secondary full irradiance.
Other Comments: Study results indicate that a 6-month cold moist chilling is adequate to break dormancy, although the optimum amount of cold chilling was not determined. Germination is effected negatively by reduced irradiance below the partial irradiance level. During propagation from seeds, provide adequate intensities of light. Increase seeding rates to meet target cover or species composition when using mulch or agronomy cloth. Removal of mulch or agronomy cloth at the proper time may result in additional germination of this species.

Citation:

Scianna, Joe. 2003. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Carex phaeocephala Piper plants Propagation Goal: Develop technology for direct seeding of this species for high elevation habitat restoration.; USDA NRCS - Bridger Plant Materials Center Bridger, Montana. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2024/07/01). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.