Ranunculus californicus

May 18, 2019 Aleta Meyr

Ranunculus californicus Benth.
California buttercup

Family: Ranunculaceae

Habit: Perennial, 18 to 70 cm., hairy with cauline petioles, yellow flowers.

Distribution: Scattered about open grassy woodland in coastal areas of California, Oregon and Baja California, Mexico.

Seed unit: Achene; free seed.

Seed: Achene obovoid – discoid 2 to 2.5 mm. long with stout recurved beaks, .8 mm.

Embryo: Minute to small basal embryo in fleshy endosperm.

Purity instructions: Pure seed definition:
AOSA: PSU#39 - Intact achene with or without style, hairs, and/or spines, whether or not a seed is present. Piece of broken achene larger than one-half of the original size, unless no seed is present. Seed with or without seed coat. Piece of broken seed larger then one-half the original size.

Lab notes: Achenes sometimes found in clusters, must be separated for planting.

Average pure seed units per gram: 503 seeds per gram (based on AOSA pure seed units only from two (2) samples received for testing from 2001 to 2002).

Range of percent pure seed: 94%

Range of percent inert: 4%

Description of inert: Plant material, stone.

Planting instructions: 400 seeds, TB, 21 days at 15°C; for fresh and dormant seed, prechill recommended.

References: (link to main reference page)
Hickman, J.C., Ed. 1993. p. 925.
Munz, P.A. and D.D. Keck. 1968. p. 95.
Ransom Seed Laboratory
Smith, C.F. 1998. p. 330.

Delphinium cardinale

May 18, 2019 Aleta Meyr

Delphinium cardinale Hook.
Cardinal or Scarlet larkspur

Family: Ranunculaceae

Habit: Perennial with deep, thickened roots and erect, woody stems; simple or branched above, 1 to 2 m. tall, with scarlet flowers.

Distribution: Found in dry openings in coastal sage scrub, chaparral and foothill woods; from Monterey County to San Diego County and Baja California.

Seed unit: Free seed.

Seed: Quadrangular with sharp angles, 2 to 3 mm. long, dark, bumpy.

Embryo: Small basal embryo in fleshy endosperm.

Purity instructions: Pure seed definition:
AOSA: PSU #1 – Seed, with or without seed coat. Piece of broken seed, with or without seed coat, larger than one-half the original size.
ISTA: PSD #10 – Seed, with or without testa. Piece of seed larger than one-half the original size, with or without testa.

Lab Notes: Germination test can show thermal dormancy at warm temperatures.

Average pure seed units per gram: 806 seeds per gram (based on AOSA pure seed units only from 6 samples received for testing from 1993 to 2004).

Range of percent pure seed: 14 to 81%

Range of percent inert: 18 to 85%

Description of inert: Plant material, stone, broken seed, dead and live insects.

Planting instructions: 400 seeds, T, 28 days @ 15°C; for fresh and dormant seed, prechill recommended.

References: (link to main reference page)
Hickman, J.C., Ed. 1993. p. 918.
Munz, P.A. and D.D. Keck. 1968. p. 90.
Ransom Seed Laboratory
Rules for Testing Seeds, AOSA

Clematis ligusticifolia

May 18, 2019 Aleta Meyr

Clematis ligusticifolia Nutt.
Clematis, Yerba de Chivato

Family: Ranunculaceae

Habit: 4 to 6 m. high, climbing, glabrous except in inflorescence.

Distribution: Found in many places along streams, wet places in coastal areas usually hanging from trees; California to Baja California, South Dakota and New Mexico.

Seed unit: Achene.

Seed: One-seeded achene with persistent elongated feathery style.

Embryo: Basal embryo in fleshy endosperm.

Average pure seed units per gram: 904 seeds per gram (based on AOSA pure seed units only from 3 samples received for testing from 2000 to 2002).

Range of percent pure seed: 33% to 62%

Range of percent inert: 37% to 66%

Description of inert: Plant material, sticks.

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. 914.
Ransom Seed Laboratory