Treesearch

Seed germination represents the means for survival and spread of many plants (McDonough 1977). Germination consists of three overlapping processes: (1) absorption of water, mainly by imbibition, causing swelling of the seed; (2) concurrent enzymatic activity and increased respiration and assimilation rates; and (3) cell enlargement and divisions resulting in emergence of root and plumule (Evanari 1957; Schopmeyer 1974b).

Federal and State seed laws require that seed used on range and wildland sites be officially tested and appropriately labeled or tagged. It is the responsibility of the seed distributor (who may be the producer, collector, or broker) toward the end user to properly tag each container of seed to comply with these laws. An analysis tag is always required. If seed has been Certified, a seed certification tag will also be attached.

Many shrubs, trees, forbs, and grasses can be successfully established to provide rapid, effective soil stabilization, forage, and cover through transplanting bareroot or container-grown stock, wildings, and stem cuttings (McArthur and others 1984a; Monsen 1974; Shaw 1981; Stevens 1980a, 1994; Tiedemann and others 1976).

Vegetation can be rapidly established on disturbed sites by planting stock alone or in combination with direct seedings. Types of planting stock commonly used range from bareroot or containerized seedlings to pads of native vegetation. Inclusion of planting stock in rehabilitation or restoration projects requires careful scheduling, selection of adapted plant species, and use of appropriate propagation, handling, and planting techniques to maximize plant establishment and first-season growth.

Forbs are abundant in all vegetative types throughout the Intermountain West. Most are found intermixed in grasslands and as understory plants in shrub and forest types. Forbs provide ground cover, soil stability, community (flora and fauna) diversity, nutritious forage, and are of aesthetic value.

Chenopod plants (Family Chenopodiaceae) are distributed worldwide but are especially prominent in some wet and dry saline or alkaline situations. Chenopods are both herbaceous and woody. The relative proportions of life-forms in the family is demonstrated by data from the important center of chenopod diversity in south-central Asia, where n = 341 species: 76 percent are herbaceous (mostly annual), 23 percent are shrubs or subshrubs, and 1 percent is arborescent (McArthur and Sanderson 1984; Shishkin 1936). Chenopod shrubs grow over wide expanses of Intermountain rangelands as well as on...

The sunflower family (Compositae or Asteraceae) is the largest family of flowering plants. Its many species occur around the world as annual and perennial herbs and as shrubs and trees (Benson 1957; Cronquist 1968; Wagenitz 1977). Three shrubby genera of the family-sagebrush (Artemisia), rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus), and matchbrush (Gutierrezia)-make plants of this family among the most common and important plants of the Intermountain area (McArthur and others 1979a; table 1). Shrubs of these genera provide critically needed ground cover on arid Western ranges, are important sources of...

Important shrubs of the Rose Family (Rosaceae) in the Intermountain region are distributed from blackbrush and salt desert shrub communities through high elevation forests and meadows. Growth habits of this group vary from trailing brambles to upright shrubs and small trees. Some species are evergreen while others are deciduous. Many of these species are highly valued for the cover, fruits, and forage they provide for wildlife and livestock. Rosaceous species that develop spreading root systems, root suckers, rhizomes, or stem layers provide soil stabilization. Several species are capable...

Numerous genera and species of shrubs occur throughout the Intermountain region in addition to those included in the Asteraceae, Chenopodiaceae, and Rosaceae families. Although shrubs are widespread throughout this region and dominate many areas, species richness is low compared to the shrub flora of the Pacific United States, Chile, western Australia, and South Africa (Stebbins 1975). Generally, evolution proceeds most rapidly when populations are isolated from one another and exposed to different environmental conditions (Dobzhansky 1970; Stebbins 1950); this is the case in the Intermount...

Acquisition of quality seed in the quantity needed is essential for successful restoration and revegetation programs. Seed is grown and harvested as a crop, or collected from native stands. In the past, when native species were seeded, it was either collect the seed yourself, or go without. Now, there are dealers who supply seed of many native species on a regular basis. Some seed companies will contract for collection of specific species.