Penstemon (palmeri)
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Melissa Landeen GBRC Project Leader Utah Division of Wildlife Resources - Great Basin Research Center 494 W 100 N Ephraim, Utah 84627 435-283-4441 435-283-2034 (fax) mlandeen@utah.gov |
| Family Scientific Name: | Scrophulariaceae | ||
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| Family Common Name: | Figwort family | ||
| Scientific Name: | Penstemon palmeri A. Gray | ||
| Common Name: | Palmer's penstemon, Palmer's beardtounge | ||
| Species Code: | PEPA8 | ||
| Ecotype: | Numerous Great Basin populations across the species elevational distribution | ||
| General Distribution: | Broadly distributed throughout the western United States in blackbrush, sagebrush, Joshua tree, pinyon-juniper, and ponderosa pine communities. Found at elevations between 790 and 2500 meters. | ||
| Propagation Goal: | Seeds | ||
| Propagation Method: | Seed | ||
| ProductType: | Propagules (seeds, cutings, poles, etc.) | ||
| Time To Grow: | 3 or 4 years. Seed production begins in year 2. | ||
| Target Specifications: | 5 lbs. of pure live seed per source population | ||
| Propagule Collection: | Multiple individual sources were collected from a single provisional seeds zone (psz). Ripened seed stalks from wild populations were hand-harvested between 1999 and 2013 using a sickle. Seed stalks were stored in polypropylene sandbags at room temperature until cleaned. | ||
| Propagule Processing: |
Dried seed stalks were first run through a debearder to singulate the seed, then through an Office Clipper (Top screen = 6 round, Bottom screen = 6x30 or 6x32 wire mesh, air = low.) The seed was run through the Office Clipper again if needed with adjusted settings (Top screen = 1/13 round, Bottom screen = 6x30 wire mesh, Air=low). Final cleaning was accomplished with a fractionating aspirator. (note: A dust collection system and/or dust mask is recommended while cleaning seed using the debearder or clipper, as dust from these plants has an extremely unpleasant taste when it gets into the nose and mouth.) |
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| Pre-Planting Treatments: | Populations expressed variable physiological dormancy, overcome with cold stratification. Fall planting typically resulted in good stands the following spring with some additional germination the second spring. | ||
| Growing Area Preparation/ Annual Practices for Perennial Crops: |
Our growing area preparation included creating a uniform seedbed, weed control, and fertilization. Our production system utilized 5 ft wide 85 feet long nursery beds centered over 2 rows of buried drip tape. We began by tilling and shaping the bed with a nursery bed maker in the fall or spring one year before planting. Weeds that emerge on these beds were controlled early in their growth by spot spraying with Glyphosate (41% a.i.). During the hottest 6 weeks of the summer before planting, moistened beds were solarized with a tight covering of 2-mil clear plastic sheeting installed using a mulch layer. Fertilizer was surface broadcast before planting, with additional fertilizer applied as needed in the fall of each growing season. | ||
| Establishment Phase: |
PLUGS We mechanically transplanted plugs to beds (5 ft x 85 ft) in the spring at the UDWR Research Farm in Fountain Green, Utah using a Mechanical Transplanter Model 5000, configured to plant in 3 rows spaced 22 inches apart, with 6” spacing between plants. Transplanted seedlings were surface irrigated using lawn sprinklers immediately following transplanting and periodically throughout the first two weeks (depending on temperatures and precipitation) to ensure establishment. DIRECT SEEDING Beds were planted in the fall. We used a Hege precision cone-type seeder to plant seeds in three 85-ft-long rows at a target rate of 50 seeds per foot and a depth of 0.25 inches. Once planted, we covered beds with Dewitt’s 1.5 oz NSulate Fabric using a mulch layer. Fabric remained on the beds throughout the winter. We removed it in the spring when temperatures began to warm and there was minimal risk of freezing. |
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| Length of Establishment Phase: | 1 year to establish, 2 years to begin producing seed. | ||
| Active Growth Phase: |
Weeds and volunteer seedlings were removed from beds weekly using manual labor. Once plants were established (beginning in their second year) we used a mechanical “Eco-Weeder” to remove many weeds at the beginning of the growing season; however, this method only worked in the spring when the soil was soft and plants were relatively small. We watered plants as needed (being careful not to over-water) throughout the growing season using subsurface irrigation drip tape placed approximately 8-10 inches below the surface. Fertilizer was surface broadcast each fall. Peak bloom varied slightly by year and by source, but was typically in late June or early July. Flowering occurred for approximately three weeks beginning at the bottom of the inflorescence stalk and progressing toward the tip. Likewise, seed capsules on the lower section of the inflorescence stalk cured and split open earlier than those at the stalk tip. The seed was retained fairly well inside the open capsules as long as they were not excessively jostled (i.e. wind, rain, pedestrian traffic, etc.). Some seed stalks along the outside rows fell over as they became heavy with seed. However, the majority of the stalks in the interior of the field remained upright allowing for seed retention and harvest. For maximum seed production, we delayed harvest until the capsules at the top of the stalks began to split open. Harvest timing varied by year and by source, but usually occurred in late September or early October. |
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| Length of Active Growth Phase: | approximately 4 months | ||
| Harvesting, Storage and Shipping: |
Seeds were harvested mechanically using a Wintersteiger Nurserymaster Elite Plot Combine. Combine settings: cylinder speed 1250 rpm. Shaker airspeed 1480 rpm (we started with the air as high as possible and turned it down until no seed was found being blown out the back). 3 de-awner bars. Concave settings: Front=5, Back=2, Sieve height=tilted as high as possible. Harvested material was dried thoroughly on a concrete floor for several days, before being cleaned to a high purity. |
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| Other Comments: | Palmer penstemon flowers are frequented by bumblebees and hummingbirds, as well as many other native pollinators. However, we have found it necessary to keep a hive of honeybees at our research farm to ensure pollination for seed production. Seed production was significantly impacted by the presence/absence of honeybees on our farm. | ||
| References: | Ogle, D., Peterson, S., St. John, L. 2013. Plant Guide for Palmer’s penstemon (Penstemon palmeri). USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, Plant Materials Center. Aberdeen, Idaho 83210. | ||
Citation:
Landeen, Melissa. 2024. Propagation protocol for production of Propagules (seeds, cutings, poles, etc.) Penstemon palmeri A. Gray Seeds Utah Division of Wildlife Resources - Great Basin Research Center Ephraim, Utah. 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.
