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Astragalus (nuttallii)

Betty Young
Nurseries Sr Manager
Bldg 201, Fort Mason
San Francisco, California 94123
415-331-6917
415-331-7521 (fax)
byoung@ggnpa.org

Family Scientific Name: Fabaceae
Family Common Name: Pea Family
Scientific Name: Astragalus nuttallii (Torr. & Gray) J.T. Howell
Common Name: Nuttall's Milkvetch
Species Code: ASTNUT
Ecotype: California
General Distribution: A. nuttallii is found in dunes and bluffs along the ocean in coastal strand communities; from 10 to 300 feet elevation; from Monterey Bay south to Point Conception, California.
Propagation Goal: plants
Propagation Method: seed
ProductType: Container (plug)
Stock Type: 4 inch pot
Time To Grow: 0
Target Specifications: Height: N/A Caliper: N/A Root System: Firm plug in container.
Propagule Collection: Seeds are collected between August 1st and September 30th.
Mature legume pods are dry at maturity.
Propagule Processing: Seed Cleaning: Pods are soaked in water to extract seeds.Storage Conditions: Seeds are kept dry and stored at room temperature.
Pre-Planting Treatments: Seeds are soaked in water for 24 hours prior to sowing. Stratification has not been tried but may enhance germination.
Growing Area Preparation/
Annual Practices for Perennial Crops:
Fully Controlled Greenhouse.
Sowing Method: Transplanting Germinants.
Seeds are sown in flats containing Sunshine Mix #4 Aggregate Plus (peat moss, perlite, major and minor nutrients, gypsum, and dolomitic lime).
Seeds are covered with media.
Flats are hand watered.
Seeds are sown on July 15th.
% Germination: 20%
Establishment Phase: Seeds germinate 45 days aftersowing.
Seedlings are transplanted 45 days after germination to individual containers (4 inch pots) containing 3 parts standard potting mix of peat moss, fir bark, perlite, and sand and 1 part sand.
Transplant Survival averages 90%.
Length of Establishment Phase: 3 to 4 months
Other Comments: Astragalus germinates over a long time period; up to 4 months. Do not remove sown flats too early.
References: A California Flora and Supplement, Munz, P., University of California Press, Berkeley and London, 1973.

Citation:

Young, Betty. 2001. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Astragalus nuttallii (Torr. & Gray) J.T. Howell plants 4 inch pot; San Francisco, California. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2024/05/18). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.