Ericameria palmeri (A. Gray) H.M. Hall
Palmer’s Goldenbush (syn. Haplopappus palmeri)

Family: Asteraceae    

Habit: Yellow-flowered, low-growing shrub 1 to 4 m. high with numerous ascending stems.

Distribution: Found in plains, foothills and coastal sage scrub. There are two varieties: Ericameria palmeri var. pachylepis, found in the Channel Islands, the south coast of California, and in the western Sonoran desert; var. palmeri is found in southern San Diego County and in northern Baja, California, Mexico.  Var. palmeri is threatened by urban development.

Seed unit: Achene with or without pappus; covered with silky hairs.  Pappus hairs may persist or dehisce.

Seed: 3 to 4 mm. subcylindric, brown and hairy.

Embryo: Linear with well developed cotyledons, no endosperm.

Purity instructions: Pure seed definition:
AOSA: PSU# 50 - Intact achene, with or without one or more of the following structures: beak, bristle, hairs, pappus, wing, or firmly attached floral remnants, provided a true seed with some degree of embryo development can be detected (either by slight pressure or by examination over light).
Piece of broken achene larger than one-half of the original size, unless no seed is present. Seed, with or without pericarp/seed coat; if broken, larger than one-half the original size.
ISTA: PSD#1 – Achene with or without pappus, unless it is obvious that no seed is present.

Average pure seed units per gram:  4,098 seeds per gram (based on AOSA pure seed units only from 10 samples received for testing from 1995 to 2001).

Range of percent pure seed: 7% to 35%

Range of percent inert: 64% to 92%

Description of inert: Plant material, broken seeds, dead insects.

Planting instructions: 400 seeds, TB, 21 days @ 20°C; for fresh and dormant seed, prechill recommended.

References: (link to main reference page)
Hickman, J.C., Ed.  1993.  p. 253.
Ransom Seed Laboratory