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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

Oxytropis (splendens)

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: Oxytropis splendens
Common Name: Showy locoweed
Species Code: OXSP
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 33 kg/ha (30 lb/ac).
Propagule Collection: Wildland collection occurs mid August to mid September after the
reddish-purple pea-like flower matures into a brown, 2-celled (deeply intruded) pod-type fruit, and has not begun to dehise (separate at maturity) from the plant; the pod is easily hand-harvested.

One collection hour/person yielded 509 grams (18 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 a 4/64" round hole screen, air-screen processed on a Clipper M2B or Eclipse cleaner over a 1-16" round hole screen with low wind. Due to small seed size, the absence of seed debris, and good 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.
Seed/Kg: 1,168,000.
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 20 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: 1 Glacier National Park accession periodically collected and produced from 1992 to 1995.
Elevation is 1,472 m (4,829).
References: Seeds: Ecology, Biogeography, and Evolution of Dormancy and Germination, C. C. Baskin and J. M. Baskin, Academic Press, 2001.

Manual of the Plants of Colorado, H. D. Harrington, The Swallow Press Inc., Chicago, 1954.

Citation:

Winslow, Susan R.. 2002. Propagation protocol for production of Propagules (seeds, cuttings, poles, etc.) Oxytropis splendens seeds USDA NRCS - Bridger Plant Materials Center Bridger, Montana. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2024/07/02). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.