Penstemon (cyaneus)

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:	Scrophulariaceae
Family Common Name:	Snapdragon
Scientific Name:	Penstemon cyaneus
Common Name:	Blue penstemon
Species Code:	PECY3
Ecotype:	See
General Distribution:	Upper Snake River Plain of southern Idaho to southwest Montana and northwest Wyoming; open plains into the lower 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 15 kg/ha (13 lb/ac).
Propagule Collection:	Wildland collection occurs early August to early September, when the dark blue flowers turn brown and the dark brown capsule has not shattered (natural dispersion) from the cyme. One collection hour/person will yield an average 44 grams (1.6 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. Seed is threshed with a hammermill through a 4/64" round hole screen, air-screen processed on an Office Clipper over a 1/22" or 1/24" round hole screen with very low wind. Due to tiny seed, absence of seed debris, and good seed flow, this species is 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: 13,170,000. 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 0.6 cm (0.25 in). Establishment Phase: Irrigate as needed to maintain adequate soil moisture (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:	3 growing seasons.
Hardening Phase:	N/A.
Harvesting, Storage and Shipping:	Harvest Date: Cultivated harvest occurred in late July, with an average harvest date of July 27 at the Bridger Plant Materials Center. Seed Storage: Seedheads were hand-harvested, placed in plastic sacks, and transported to drying area. 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> 5-7 years.
Other Comments:	Ecotype: 1 Yellowstone National Park accession periodically collected and produced from 1994 to 1996. Grassland ecological zoneis silver sagebrush/Idaho fescue habitat. Elevation is 2,357 m (7,733 ft).
References:	Northwest Penstemons, Dee Strickler, Flower Press, Columbia Falls, Montana, 1997. Seeds: Ecology, Biogeography, and Evolution of Dormancy and Germination, C. C. Baskin and J. M. Baskin, Academic Press, 2001. Yellowstone Vegetation - Consequences of Environment and History in a Natural Setting, Don G. Despain, Roberts Rinehart Publishers, 1990.

Citation:

Winslow, Susan R.. 2002. Propagation protocol for production of Propagules (seeds, cuttings, poles, etc.) Penstemon cyaneus seeds USDA NRCS - Bridger Plant Materials Center Bridger, Montana. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2025/02/24). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.