Hedysarum (boreale)

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:	Fabaceae
Family Common Name:	Pea
Scientific Name:	Hedysarum boreale
Common Name:	Boreal sweetvetch or northern sweetvetch
Species Code:	HEBO
Ecotype:	See
General Distribution:	Yukon to northeastern Oregon, east to Newfoundland and south in Rocky Mountains to New Mexico and Arizona; plains, hills, slopes, and streambanks.
Propagation Goal:	seeds
Propagation Method:	seed
ProductType:	Propagules (seeds, cuttings, poles, etc.)
Time To Grow:	0
Target Specifications:	Harvest yields vary due to weather and age of stand. Average annual production is 124 kg/ha (111 lb/ac).
Propagule Collection:	Wildland collection occurs late July to mid August after the purplish pea-like flower matures into a yellowish-colored loment (pod-type fruit with constricted segments), and has not begun to dehise (separate at maturity) from the plant; the loment is easily hand-harvested, yet timing is critical due to pre-mature shattering. One collection hour/person yielded 76 grams (2.7 oz) clean seed and varies by year, stand density, and collector experience.
Propagule Processing:	Seed Processing: Seed is spread out on a tarp in a dry, sheltered environment and turned daily for approximately 3-5 days, until no moisture or warmth is detected. After drying, seed is threshed with a hammermill through an 12/64" round hole screen, air-screen processed on a Clipper M2B or Eclipse cleaner over a 17/64" round hole screen with moderate wind. Due to large seed size, the absence of seed debris, and fair seed flow, this species is moderately easy to clean. Larger seed lots are processed most efficiently with mechanized cleaning equipment, and smaller seed lots usually require more hand labor. Seeds/Kg: 248,000. Purity: 100%.
Pre-Planting Treatments:	Seed Treatments: None required.
Growing Area Preparation/ Annual Practices for Perennial Crops:	Propagation Environment: Seedbed is firm and free of weeds with good field moisture to 4" depth. Seed Propagation Method: Direct seeding.
Establishment Phase:	Sowing Date: Late fall. Sowing/Planting Technique: 25-30 pure live seed/ft (0.3 m) row, irrigated 91-cm (36-in) row spacing, seeded with push-type belt seeder, optimum seeding depth 1.3 cm (0.50 in). Establishment Phase: Irrigate as needed to maintain adequate soil moisture (also helps prevent soil crusting (also helps prevent soil crusting). Fertilizer application is not recommended the first year, as it generally stimulates weed growth and competition.
Length of Establishment Phase:	2 growing seasons.
Active Growth Phase:	Rapid growth Phase: Summer to fall; soil moisture is critical during budding stage, after anthesis, and post harvest to pre-freezeup- -no irrigation is applied during flowering (pollination).
Length of Active Growth Phase:	2 to 3 growing seasons.
Hardening Phase:	N/A.
Harvesting, Storage and Shipping:	Harvest Date: Cultivated harvest occurred on July 6 at the Bridger Plant Materials Center. Seed Storage: Inflorescences were hand-harvested, placed in plastic sacks, and transported to drying area. Seed is placed in cloth or paper seed sacks, and stored in a cool, dry environment. Seed Dormancy: Classified as physical dormancy.
Length of Storage:	<b>Storage Duration:</b> 5-7 years.
Other Comments:	Ecotype: 2 Glacier National Park accessions periodically collected and produced from 1992 to 1995. Elevation ranges 1,384 m to 1,402 m (4,541 ft to 4,600).
References:	Seeds: Ecology, Biogeography, and Evolution of Dormancy and Germination, C. C. Baskin and J. M. Baskin, Academic Press, 2001. Vascular Plants of West-Central Montana: Identification Guidebook, Klaus Lackschewitz, USDA USFS, Intermountain Research Station, General Technical Report INT-277, 1991. Plants of Waterton-Glacier National Parks and The Northern Rockies. R. J. Shaw and D. On. Mountain Press Publishing Co., Missoula, Montana, 1979.

Citation:

Winslow, Susan R.. 2002. Propagation protocol for production of Propagules (seeds, cuttings, poles, etc.) Hedysarum boreale seeds USDA NRCS - Bridger Plant Materials Center Bridger, Montana. 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.