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Aristida (beyrichiana)

Tim Pittman
Nursery Supervisor
First Step Internet
PO Drawer 849
Chiefland, Florida 32644
www.fsr.com

Family Scientific Name: Poaceae
Family Common Name: Grass family
Scientific Name: Aristida beyrichiana Trin. & Rupr.
Common Synonym: Aristida stricta Michx.
Common Name: wiregrass
Species Code: ARIBER
Ecotype: Florida
General Distribution: A. beyrichiana is a major component of the longleaf pine ecosystem of the southeastern US. It is found from southern South Carolina through Georgia to Florida and west to Mississippi.
Propagation Goal: plants
Propagation Method: seed
ProductType: Container (plug)
Stock Type: 1+0 container plugs
Time To Grow: 0
Target Specifications: Height:n/a<br> Caliper: n/a<br> Root System: Firm plug in container.
Propagule Collection: Seeds are collected from November to mid December.Collection is best during non humid days and after 9:00 a.m. Collection during dry days yield twice as much as during humid days.
Seeds are collected with a modified prairie seed stripper using a 0.065 gauge
Pre-Planting Treatments: See above.
Growing Area Preparation/
Annual Practices for Perennial Crops:
Propagation Environment: Outdoor Nursery.
Sowing Method: Seeds are sown after danger of frost has past; usually April 1st. Seeds are mixed well with medium or course vermiculite in a ribbon mixing machine at the rate of 150 to 200 g of seeds per0.12 m of vermiculite.
Seed mix is spread on filled Multipots at a depth of 6 to 12 mm.
Growing Media used is 5:3:2 peat moss:poly-styrene beads:course vermiculite and controlled release fertilizer Osmocote plus minors (17N:6p0205:10K20; 8 to 9 months at 21C)added at 1.54 kg/m3.
Establishment Phase: After pots have been seeded, they are placed in the outdoor nursery and covered with a shade cloth until well established.
Germination occurs 6 to 10 days after sowing and seedlings are 25 mm tall.
The shade cloth is removed after plants are established.
Length of Establishment Phase: 14 days
Active Growth Phase: Plants are irrigated daily beacuse of the well drained media used.
Irrigation system used is overhead fixed system, each container receiving 2.4 to 4.0 cm of water.
Length of Active Growth Phase: 3 months
Harvesting, Storage and Shipping: Total Time To Harvest: 3 months
Storage: Seedlings are extracted from containers prior to outplanting. Plants required to be in boxes for longer than 2 days are refrigerated.
Nursery stock can be successfully held for up to one year.
Other Comments: Seedling production cost is less than 15% of vegetatively propagated material.
References: Wiregrass Propagation at the Andrews Nursery in Florida, Pittman, T. and Karrfalt, R., Native Plants Journal, Spring 2000, 1:45-47.

Citation:

Pittman, Tim; Karrfalt, Robert P. 2002. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Aristida beyrichiana Trin. & Rupr. plants 1+0 container plugs; First Step Internet Chiefland, Florida. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2024/05/05). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.