Phacelia (sericea)

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

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Family Scientific Name:	Hydrophyllaceae
Family Common Name:	Waterleaf
Scientific Name:	Phacelia sericea
Common Name:	Silky phacelia
Species Code:	PHSE
Ecotype:	See
General Distribution:	Alberta to British Columbia, south to Colorado, Arizona, and California; open woods, hills, and slopes, mostly in the mountains.
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 14 kg/ha (13 lb/ac).
Propagule Collection:	Wildland collection occurs late August to early September when the dark purple flowers turn brown and the seed is dark brown and hard; the spike-like panicle is easy to hand-harvest. One collection hour/person will yield an average 168 grams (6 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. Seedis threshed with a hannermill through a 4/64" round hole screen, air-screen processed on an Office Clipper over a 1-21" round hole screen with low wind. Due to small seed, persistence of floral capsules, 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: 2,364,451. 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: Early spring. Sowing/Planting Technique: 25-30 pure live seed/ft (0.3 m) row, irrigated 91 cm (36 in) row spacing seeds with 2-row double-disk planter with depth bands, optimum seeding depth 0.6 cm (0.25 in). Establishment Phase: Soil surface is kept moist throughout the 14 day germination and emergence period (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: Spring to fall; soil moisture is critical during budding stage, after anthesis, and post harvest to pre-freezeup - no irrigation is applied during flowering (pollination); fertilizer is broadcast at 100 lbs actual N/40 lbs actual P/acre in mid-September.
Length of Active Growth Phase:	2 to 3 growing seasons.
Hardening Phase:	N/A.
Harvesting, Storage and Shipping:	Harvest Date: Cultivated harvest occurs early July, with a meanharvest date of July 2 at the Bridger Plant Materials Center. Hand-harvesting is required because seedheads are low to the ground. Seed Storage: Seed is placed in cloth or plastic seed sacks and stored in a cool, dry environment. Seed Dormancy: Classified as physiological dormancy.
Length of Storage:	<b>Storage Duration:</b> 5 to 7 years.
Other Comments:	Ecotype: 1 Yellowstone National Park accession periodically collected and produced from 1994 to 1996. Forest ecological zones are various phases of subalpine fir habitat. Elevation is 2,357 m (8,162 ft).
References:	Flora of the Pacific Northwest, C.L. Hitchcock and A. Cronquist, University of Washington Press, 1973. Yellowstone Vegetation - Consequences of Environment and History in a Natural Setting, Don G. Despain, Roberts Rinehart Publishers, 1990. Seeds: Ecology, Biogeography, and Evolution of Dormancy and Germination, C.C. Baskin and J.M. Baskin, Academic Press, 2001.

Citation:

Winslow, Susan R.. 2002. Propagation protocol for production of Propagules (seeds, cuttings, poles, etc.) Phacelia sericea 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.