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Abstract
The Plant Materials Center at Aberdeen, Idaho, is operated by the United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. The purpose of the Plant Materials Center is to evaluate and release plant materials for conservation use and to develop and transfer new technology for the establishment and management of plants. The Center serves portions of Nevada, Utah, California, Oregon and Idaho. ‘Rush’ intermediate wheatgrass was released in 1994 and was chosen for superior seedling emergence, high forage production and drought tolerance. In 1995, two selected ecotypes of penstemon were released. The Richfield Selection of firecracker penstemon has bright red flowers on upright racemes. The Clearwater Selection of alpine penstemon has bright lavender flowers on narrow panicles. Native penstemons provide soil stabilization, plant diversity and beautification. ‘Bannock’ thickspike wheatgrass was released in 1995 to be used as a component of seed mixes for rangeland and pasture seedings. The Aberdeen Selection of Laurel willow was released in 1997. The original material was collected in the upper Midwest from naturalized stands. The medium to tall shrub has lustrous, dark green foliage and is very attractive. It shows great promise for use throughout the Intermountain West in irrigated windbreaks and as an ornamental.
Parent Publication
Citation
St. John, L.; Blaker, P. 2001. New plant releases from the USDA-NRCS Aberdeen, Idaho, Plant Materials Center. In: McArthur, E. Durant; Fairbanks, Daniel J., comps. Shrubland ecosystem genetics and biodiversity: proceedings; 2000 June 13-15; Provo, UT. Proc. RMRS-P-21. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. p. 143-144.
