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Heliomeris (multiflora)

Derek Tilley
PMC Manager
USDA NRCS - Aberdeen Plant Materials Center
PO Box 296
Aberdeen, Idaho 83210
208-397-4133 x 104
derek.tilley@id.usda.gov
http://plant-materials.nrcs.usda.gov/idpmc

Family Scientific Name: Asteraceae
Family Common Name: Sunflower family
Scientific Name: Heliomeris multiflora Nutt.
Common Synonym: Viguiera multiflora
Common Name: Showy goldeneye
Species Code: HEMU3
Ecotype: Grand Teton National Park
General Distribution: Primarily western North America throughout the Rocky Mountain west to California and south to Texas.
Propagation Goal: Seeds
Propagation Method: Seed
ProductType: Propagules (seeds, cutings, poles, etc.)
Time To Grow: 11 months
Propagule Collection: Wildland seed is hand collected by stripping flowers or shaking ripe flowers into a sack.
Propagule Processing: Seed can be separated from plant material by hand or by using a hammermill or brush machine if necessary. Seed can be cleaned using an air-screen cleaner with 6X20 top screen and 6X34 bottom screen and light air. There are approximately 680,000 seeds/lb of cleaned seed.
Pre-Planting Treatments: No pre-treatments are required for fall planting.
Growing Area Preparation/
Annual Practices for Perennial Crops:
We prepared a seed bed with disking and packing. We then laid a 500 X 6 ft (0.07 ac) length of woven weed barrier fabric. 3 inch diameter holes are burned into the fabric using a propane torch and a metal jig designed for 18 inch spacing. We use a dormant fall seeding in late October to mid-November. Approximately 20 seeds are placed in each hole and scratched lightly into the soil. The seed is then packed by foot for good seed to soil contact. Transplants using Jiffy Pellets is also effective for establishment.
Establishment Phase: The seed is watered lightly as needed during the establishment phase to prevent soil crusting. Approximately once every week for 4 hours.
Length of Establishment Phase: 1 month
Active Growth Phase: Hand weeding is necessary to eliminate broadleaf weeds such as lambs quarters and nightshade. Grass selective herbicides can be used to reduce annual grasses like green foxtail and witchgrass. Plants are watered once per month or so as needed for 8 to 12 hours.
Length of Active Growth Phase: 5 months
Harvesting, Storage and Shipping: Some flower and seed production can be expected the first growing season, but best yields come from years 2 and 3+. Seed is harvested using a canvas harvesting hoop and a tennis racquet. Plants with ripe seed can be beaten allowing seed to shatter into the harvesting hoop. Indeterminate maturation requires multiple harvests for maximum seed yield. We harvested three times, 9/17, 9/26 and 10/6. In the first harvest we collected 240g of clean seed. In the second and third harvests we collected about 800g of clean seed each for a total of 1800 g (4 lbs) of clean seed. This is equivalent to approximately 57 lbs/ac.

Uncleaned material is laid out on butcher paper on a shop floor and allowed to dry for prior to processing. Cleaned seed is stored in cool-dry conditions with temperatures of approximately 10° C (50° F) and relative humidity of 20 to 30%.

Citation:

Tilley, Derek. 2016. Propagation protocol for production of Propagules (seeds, cutings, poles, etc.) Heliomeris multiflora Nutt. Seeds USDA NRCS - Aberdeen Plant Materials Center Aberdeen, Idaho. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2024/03/29). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.