Balsamorhiza (sagittata)

Dave Skinner PMC Farm Manager USDA NRCS - Pullman Plant Materials Center Room 211A Hulbert Hall WSU Pullman, Washington 99164-6211 509-335-9689 509-335-2940 (fax) abbie@wsu.edu http://plant-materials.nrcs.usda.gov/wapmc

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Family Scientific Name:	Asteraceae
Family Common Name:	Sunflower
Scientific Name:	Balsamorhiza sagittata (Pursh) Nutt.
Common Name:	Arrowleaf balsamroot
Species Code:	BASA3
Ecotype:	Pullman area
General Distribution:	Western US east to the Dakotas and south to Colorado and Arizona. Dry, open prairies and meadows and open Ponderosa pine woodlands.
Propagation Goal:	plants
Propagation Method:	seed
ProductType:	Container (plug)
Time To Grow:	5 Months
Target Specifications:	This is a taprooted species, so growing until the root plug is tight may not be desirable.
Propagule Collection:	Seed is collected when the inflorescence is dry and the achenes are dark brown to black. Shattering is usually not a problem but the seeds are subjectto bird and animal predation. Insect damage can also be extensive. Seed is stored in paper bags at room temperature until cleaned.
Propagule Processing:	Flower heads are crushed and rubbed, then run over a hand screen to separate the seeds. Fine material and unfilled and damaged seed is removed with an air column separator. Clean seed is stored in controlled conditions at 40 degrees Fahrenheit and 40% relative humidity. 55,000 seeds/lb. (Hassel,et al. 1996). 58,438 seeds/lb (USDA, NRCS. 2004) We determined 61,630 seeds/lb for this ecotype.
Pre-Planting Treatments:	Requires extended cold, moist stratification and cool growing temperatures. Greenhouse temperatures can be lethal.
Growing Area Preparation/ Annual Practices for Perennial Crops:	In late November or early December, seeds are sown in 10 cu. in. Ray Leach Super cell conetainers filled with Sunshine #4. Seeds are covered lightly with medium and a thin layer of pea gravel is applied to prevent seed from floating when watered. Conetainers are watered deeply, then placed outside for the winter. They are watered only during extended warm, dry spells.
Establishment Phase:	Germination will begin in March as daytime temperatures increase, and may occur over a period of 3 weeks or more.
Active Growth Phase:	Plants are left outside subject to naturally cool spring temperatures. Growth of the seedlings is slow, but the taproots grow more quickly.
Length of Active Growth Phase:	1-2 months
Hardening Phase:	Since the plants are grown outside, additional hardening is not necessary.
Other Comments:	This is a long-lived species with a massive taproot. It is reportedly very difficult to move established plants.
References:	Hassell, et al. 1996. Seeding Rate Statistics for Native and Introduced Species. USDI National Park Service and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. Hitchcock, C. Leo, and Arthur Cronquist. 1973. Flora of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press. Seattle, WA. Kruckeberg, Arthur R. 1996. Gardening with Native Plants of the Pacific Northwest. 2nd ed. University of Washington Press. Seattle, WA. Parish, Roberta, Ray Coupe, and Dennis Lloyd (eds.). 1996. Plants of Southern Interior British Columbia. Lone Pine Publishing, Vancouver, BC, Canada. St. John, Harold. 1963. Flora of Southeastern Washington and of Adjacent Idaho. 3rd edition. Outdoor Pictures. Escondido, CA. USDA, NRCS. 2004. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.5 (http://plants.usda.gov). National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA. Young, James A, and Raymond A. Evans. 1979. Arrowleaf Balsamroot and Mules Ear Seed Germination. Journal of Range Mgmt. 32:71-74. Young and Young. 1986. Collecting, Processing and Germinating Seeds of Wildland Plants. Timber Press. Portland, OR.

Citation:

Skinner, David M,. 2004. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Balsamorhiza sagittata (Pursh) Nutt. plants USDA NRCS - Pullman Plant Materials Center Pullman, Washington. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2024/05/19). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.