Artemisia pycnocephala D.C.
Coastal sagewort
Family: Asteraceae
Habit: Shrub, forming mounds 3 to 7 dm., white-gray tomentose throughout.
Distribution: Found in rocky or sandy soils on coastal strands in the central and north coast of California to Oregon.
Seed unit: Achene.
Seed: 1.5 mm., glabrous.
Embryo: Linear with well developed cotyledons and 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: 6,153 seeds per gram (based on AOSA pure seed units only from 17 samples received for testing from 1993 to 2002).
Range of percent pure seed: 3% to 17%
Range of percent inert: 82% to 96%
Description of inert: Plant material, insects, stone, dirt.
Planting instructions: 400 seeds, TB, 14 days @ 20°C; for fresh and dormant seed, prechill recommended.
References: (link to main reference page)
Hickman, J.C., Ed. 1993. p. 204.
Ransom Seed Laboratory
