Pedicularis (contorta)

Tara Luna USDI NPS - Glacier National Park West Glacier, Montana 59936 (406) 888-7835 http://plant-materials.nrcs.usda.gov/azpmc

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Family Scientific Name:	Scrophulariaceae
Family Common Name:	Figwort family
Scientific Name:	Pedicularis contorta Benth.
Common Name:	Parrots Beak
Species Code:	PEDCON
Ecotype:	Subalpine meadows, Logan Pass, Glacier National Park, Glacier Co., MT. 2032m elevation.
General Distribution:	P. contorta occurs from B.C. to northern California, Alberta to north and west Wyoming, and central Idaho. It is found in high elevation meadows and slopes.
Propagation Goal:	plants
Propagation Method:	seed
ProductType:	Container (plug)
Stock Type:	160 ml contetainers
Time To Grow:	9 Months
Target Specifications:	Height: 4 cm<br> Caliper: n/a<br> Root System: firm plug in conetainer.
Propagule Collection:	Seeds are collected in late August when capsules begin to split and seeds are easily shaken out of capsules. Seeds are dark grey at maturity. Capsules are collected in paper bags and kept in a well ventilated drying shed prior to cleaning.
Propagule Processing:	Seeds are hand cleaned with screensto remove chaff. Seed longevity is unknown. Seed dormancy is classified as physiological dormancy. Seeds/Kg: 1,200,000/kg approx. % Purity: 100% % Germination: 100%
Pre-Planting Treatments:	Seeds are treated with 500 ppm gibberellic acid for 15 minutes. Seeds are rinsed with distilled water. Seeds are placed into moist paper towels inserted in a open plastic bag under refrigeration at 1 to 3 C for 90 days. Seeds germinate after 90 days of stratification and are planted as germinants.
Growing Area Preparation/ Annual Practices for Perennial Crops:	Greenhouse. Sowing Method: Planting Germinants. Growing medium used is 6:1:1 milled spaghnum peat, perlite, and vermiculite with Osmocote controlled release fertilizer (13N:13P2O5:13K2O; 8 to 9 month release rate at 21C) and Micromax fertilizer (12%S, 0.1%B, 0.5%Cu, 12%Fe, 2.5%Mn, 0.05%Mo, 1%Zn) at the rate of 1 gram of Osmocote and 0.20 gram of Micromax per 172 ml conetainer. Conetainers irrigated thoroughly prior to sowing germinants. Greenhouse temperatures are maintained at 21 to 25C during the day for 12 hours and 12 to 18C at night for 8 hours.
Establishment Phase:	Planted germinants developed cotyledons 3 days after sowing and true leaves 7 days later. Seedlings require a host plant in the container after establishment. After seedlings are well established, they must dry down between irrigations.
Length of Establishment Phase:	4 weeks
Active Growth Phase:	Root and shoot development occur at a moderate rate. True leaves were evident 3 weeks after planting. Seedlings were fertilized with 20-10-20 liquid NPK fertilizer during the growing season. At this stage, seedlings should be companion planted with a host species, such as Poa alpina. Plants are root tight 16 weeks following germination.
Length of Active Growth Phase:	16 weeks
Hardening Phase:	Irrigation is gradually reduced in September and October. Plants are leached with clear water once before winterization.
Length of Hardening Phase:	5 months
Harvesting, Storage and Shipping:	Total Time To Harvest: 9 months Harvest Date: August Storage Conditions: Overwinter in outdoor nursery under insulating foam cover and snow.
Length of Storage:	5 months
Other Comments:	Pedicularis is a hemiparasitc genus that requires a host for continued growth and development of the seedling. Exudates from the host root are not required for germination and initial growth; however, plants will steadily decline in vigor unless a host plant is introduced into the container. This allows for the hemiparasitic relationship to be established. There are 2 botanical varieties: var. contorta, and var. ctenophora.
References:	Flora of the Pacific Northwest, Hitchcock and Cronquist, 7th edition, University of Washington Press, 1973. Seeding Rate Statistics for Native and Introduced Species, Hassell, Wendel, U.S.D.I. and U.S.D.A., April 1996. Seeds: Ecology, Biogeography, and Evolution of Dormancy and Germination, Baskin and Baskin, Academic Press, 1998. Seed Germination Theory and Practice, Deno, Norman, Penn State University, 1993. Glacier National Park Native Plant Nursery Propagation Records, unpublished.

Citation:

Luna, Tara. 2008. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Pedicularis contorta Benth. plants 160 ml contetainers; USDI NPS - Glacier National Park West Glacier, Montana. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2025/03/14). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.