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Home → Native Plant Network → Journal → Articles → Sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) Seed and Plant Transfer Guidelines

Native Plants Journal - Article

Sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) Seed and Plant Transfer Guidelines

Abstract:

Seed and plant transfer guidelines are offered for 11 species of sagebrush (Artemisia arbuscula, A. bigelovii, A. cana, A. rothrockii, A. longiloba, A. argillosa, A. rigida, A. nova, A. tripartita, A. pygmaea, and A. tridentata). These species constitute the true sagebrushes or the subgenus Tridentatae of Artemisia. The geographic distribution of each species serves as the geographic boundary for the 11 seed zones, with the additional restriction that seed should not be moved farther than 483 km (300 mi) to its target planting site, and even if less than 483 km, not outside of its native distribution. For A. tridentata, no additional transfer guidelines are proposed for changes in elevation within a seed zone. For the other 10 species, if local conditions include moisture gradients and ranges of elevation in excess of 458 m (1500 ft), conservative guidelines could further restrict seed transfer up 153 m (500 ft) in elevation, or down 305 m (1000 ft) in elevation, from the origin collection area. Correctly applied, seed and plant transfer guidelines minimize the risk of planting maladapted stock, increasing the survival and reproductive success to achieve restoration, rehabilitation, reclamation, and wildlife habitat improvement objectives.

Issue & Pages:

Fall 2004 Pages: 141-148

Article Download:

5-2NPJ141-148.pdf (PDF document)

Authors:

  • Mary F Mahalovich
  • E Durant McArthur

Keywords:

seed zones, adaptive traits, elevation gradients, ecotypes, ploidy, hybridization