Wyethia mollis

Wyethia mollis A. Gray
Mules ears

Family:  Asteraceae

Habit:  Shrub, slightly woody at the base; stems 4 to 10 dm. high, densely tomentose and resin-dotted, with large yellow flowers.

Distribution:  Dry wooded slopes and rocky openings on montane coniferous slopes of the Sierra Nevada, southeastern Oregon and western Nevada.

Seed unit:  Achene.

Seed:  Achenes 9 to 11 mm. long, tomentose, with short pappus scales. Ray achenes three-angled; disk achenes compressed, four-angled.

Embryo:  Foliar with well developed cotyledons.

Purity instructions:   Pure seed definition: 
AOSA:  PSU# 28 - Intact achene with or without pappus, whether or not a seed is present.
ISTA:  PSD #4 – Achene, with or without pappus, unless it is obvious that no seed is present.

Lab notes:  Samples often have a high percentage of dormant seed; in addition to prechilling, TZ is useful in determining the viability of ungerminated seed.

Average pure seed units per gram:  51 seeds per gram (based on AOSA pure seed units only from 5 samples received for testing from 2000 to 2005).               

Range of percent pure seed:   46 to 98%

Range of percent inert:  1% to 53%

Description of inert:  Plant material, broken seed.

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

References:  (link to main reference page)
Hickman, J.C., Ed. 1993. p. 359.
Munz, P.A. and D.D. Keck.  1968.  p. 1085.
Ransom Seed Laboratory

Tetradymia glabrata

Tetradymia glabrata Torrey and A. Gray
Bald-leaved feltthorn

Family:  Asteraceae

Habit:  Shrub 3 to 9 dm. high; branched, tomentose, with glabrate leaves.  

Distribution:  Dry scrub and Joshua tree woodland of the Great Basin and the Mojave Desert in California, Oregon, Idaho and Utah.

Seed unit:  Achene.

Seed:  Achene 3 to 5 mm., with short, stiff hairs; ribs glandular; pappus of many fine bristles 6 to 8 mm. long.

Embryo:  Foliar 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 #4 – Achene, with or without pappus, unless it is obvious that no seed is present.

Average pure seed units per gram:  529 seeds per gram (based on AOSA pure seed units only from 1 sample received for testing in 2002).

Range of percent pure seed:  30%

Range of percent inert:  69%

Description of inert:  Broken seed, plant material.

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. 352. 
Munz, P.A. and D.D. Keck.  1968.  p. 1256.  
Ransom Seed Laboratory

Pluchea odorata

Pluchea odorata (L.) Cass.
Salt marsh fleabane

Family:  Asteraceae

Habit:  Annual or perennial, 5 to 12 dm.  Glandular, ill-scented with purple inflorescence.

Distribution:  Found in moist, often saline valley bottoms, from San Francisco Bay to the Atlantic Coast, Caribbean and northern South America.

Seed unit:  Achene.

Seed: Achene 1 mm. long, minutely rough-hairy; with long, slender pappus bristles.

Embryo:  Foliar type.

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 #4 – Achene, with or without pappus, unless it is obvious that no seed is present.

Average pure seed units per gram:  36,695 seeds per gram (based on AOSA pure seed units only from 23 samples received for testing from 1996 to 2004).

Range of percent pure seed:   14% to 57%

Range of percent inert:  42% to 85%

Description of inert:  Plant material, sticks, dead insects.

Planting instructions:  400 seeds, TB, 21 days @ 20-30°C; for fresh and dormant seed, prechill recommended.

References:  (link to main reference page)
Hickman, J.C., Ed.  1993.  p. 326.
Ransom Seed Laboratory

Lasthenia californica

Lasthenia californica Lindley
Goldfields, California Lasthenia (syn. Lasthenia chrysostoma)

Family:  Asteraceae

Habit:  Simple or freely-branched annual, less than 40 cm. tall, sometimes hairy.

Distribution:   Abundant in many habitats in California, Arizona, Oregon and Mexico.

Seed unit:  Achene.

Seed:  Achene less than 3 mm., linear to club-shaped, grabrous or hairy.  Pappus of 0 to 7 narrow awns or wider-awned scales.

Embryo:  Foliar embryo.

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 #4 – Achene, with or without pappus, unless it is obvious that no seed is present.

Lab notes:  Obviously empty, thin and transparent achenes are considered inert material.  Use of a diaphanoscope is helpful.

Average pure seed units per gram:  8,669 seeds per gram (based on AOSA pure seed units only from 57 samples received for testing from 1994 to 2004).

Range of percent pure seed:   26 to 76%

Range of percent inert:  23 to 73%

Description of inert:   Plant material, dirt, dead insects.

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. 299.
Ransom Seed Laboratory

Isocoma menziesii

Isocoma menziesii  (Hook & Arn.) G. Nesom
Coastal Goldenbush (syn. Haplopappus venetus (Kunth) S.F. Blake)

Family:  Asteraceae

Habit:  Subshrub, mat forming to 2 meters, yellow flowers.

Distribution:  Found in coastal and inland sandy soils in central and south coastal California, the Channel Islands and Baja California.  Isocoma menziesii is highly variable and complex with three varities: menziesii, sedoides, and vernonioides.

Seed unit:  Achene.

Seed:  Silky-hairy, tan-white, 3.5 mm. long with pappus 3 to 5 mm. long.

Embryo:  Well-developed cotyledons with 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.

Lab notes:  There are often many immature, shriveled fruits.

Average pure seed units per gram:  2,081 seeds per gram (based on AOSA pure seed units only from 46 samples received for testing from 1993 to 2002).  

Range of percent pure seed:  8% to 56%

Range of percent inert:  43% to 90%

Description of inert:  Broken seed, sticks, plant material, 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. 295.
Ransom Seed Laboratory     
Smith, C.F.  1998.  p. 170.

Hemizonia fasciculata

Hemizonia fasciculata (DC.) Torrey and A. Gray
Tarweed 

Family:  Asteraceae

Habit:  Annual, stems 1 to 10 dm. high.  Fall-flowering xerophyte, glandular and very aromatic.

Distribution:  Frequently found in coastal sage scrub, oak woodland, and grassland from California’s central coast to Baja California.

Seed unit:  Achene.

Seed:  Dimorphic:  Ray achenes 2 to 3 mm., beaked, three-angled, with no pappus.  Disk achenes 2.5 to 3 mm. with 5 to 12 pappus scales.

Embryo:  Foliar embryo, 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 #4 – Achene, with or without pappus, unless it is obvious that no seed is present.

Lab notes:  Samples are often heavily contaminated with other species.

Average pure seed units per gram:  2,295 seeds per gram (based on AOSA pure seed units only from 48 samples received for testing from 1993 to 2004).

Range of percent pure seed:   13 to 33%

Range of percent inert:  64 to 83%

Description of inert:  Plant material, broken seed, stone, dirt, sclerotia.

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.282.
Munz, P.A. and D.D. Keck.  1968.  p. 1120.
Ransom Seed Laboratory

Grindelia camporum

Grindelia camporum E. Greene
Gumplant

Family:  Asteraceae

Habit:  Perennial 5 to 12 dm. high, with several erect herbaceous stems, appearing white-varnished.

Distribution:  Found in sandy or saline bottomlands, fields, and roadsides of the San Joaquin Valley, south and central California coast, and Baja California.

Seed unit:  Achene with or without pappus.

Seed:  Achene 2 to 5 mm., angled, white to golden brown; tops generally flanged; with two to six pappus awns.

Embryo:  Foliar embryo.

Purity instructions:   Pure seed definition: 
AOSA:  PSU #28 - Intact achene with or without pappus, 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 pericarp/seedcoat; if broken, larger than one-half the original size.
ISTA:  PSD #4 – Achene with or without pappus, unless it is obvious that no seed is present.

Lab notes:  In many samples, a high percentage of intact achenes are empty.  The pappus is usually not present in commercial samples.

Average pure seed units per gram:  571 seeds per gram (based on AOSA pure seed units only from 9 samples received for testing from 1999 to 2004).

Range of percent pure seed:   38% to 96%

Range of percent inert:   3% to 60%

Description of inert:  Live insects, dirt, broken seed, plant material.

Planting instructions:  400 seeds, TB, 21 days @ 15-25°C; prechill not recommended.

References:  (link to main reference page)
Hickman, J.C., Ed.  1993.  p. 273.
Ransom Seed Laboratory

Gnaphalium californicum

Gnaphalium californicum DC.
Green everlasting

Family:  Asteraceae

Habit:   Annual or biennial, stoutish, 4 to 8 dm. high, glandular and highly scented.

Distribution:  Commonly scattered in coastal sage scrub, woodland, and chaparral, usually in disturbed places, from Baja California to Oregon.

Seed unit:  Achene.

Seed:  Achene small, brown, less than 1 mm.; pappus bristles free, usually shed.

Embryo:  Foliar embryo, 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 #4 – Achene, with or without pappus, unless it is obvious that no seed is present.

Lab notes:  Smallest, shriveled achenes without substance called inert.  Difficult to draw line between pure and inert.

Average pure seed units per gram:  60,221 seeds per gram (based on AOSA pure seed units only from 37 samples received for testing from 1992 to 2004).

Range of percent pure seed:   1 to 17%

Range of percent inert:  82 to 99%

Description of inert:  Plant material, insects.

Planting instructions:  400 seeds, TB, 21 days @ 15-25°C; for fresh and dormant seed, prechill recommended.

References:  (link to main reference page)
Hickman, J.C., Ed. 1993. p.271.
Munz, P.A. and D.D. Keck.  1968.  p. 1260.
Ransom Seed Laboratory
Smith, C.F.  1998.  p.  162.

Euthamia occidentalis

Euthamia occidentalis  Nutt.
Western Goldenrod (syn. Solidago occidentalis)

Family: Asteraceae

Habit:  Perennial herb less than 2 m.  Smooth much branched white stem from creeping rhizome.  Leaves are lance-linear and glabrous.

Distribution: Found in ditches, coastal salt marsh, freshwater marsh, stream banks and meadows in California (except deserts) to western Canada, New Mexico and Northern Baja, California, Mexico.

Seed unit:  Achene.

Seed: 1 mm. fusiform, strigose.  Pappus of 25 to 45 bristles.

Embryo:  Well-developed cotyledons with 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.

Lab notes:  There are often many immature, shriveled fruits.

Average pure seed units per gram:  13,159 seeds per gram (based on AOSA pure seed units only from six (6) samples received for testing from 1999 to 2002).

Range of percent pure seed:   25% to 57%

Range of percent inert:  42% to 74%

Description of inert:  Plant material, broken seed.

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

References:  (link to main reference page)
Hickman, J.C., Ed.  1993.  p. 266.
Munz, P.A. and D.D. Keck.  1968.  p. 1185.
Ransom Seed Laboratory

Ericameria pinifolia

Ericameria pinifolia (A. Gray) H.M. Hall
Pine-bush (syn. Haplopappus pinifolia)

Family: Asteraceae

Habit: Yellow-flowered, low-growing shrub.

Distribution: Chaparral, oak woodland, scrub away from coast, southwestern California and Sonoran Desert.

Seed unit: Achene with or without pappus.

Seed: 4.5 to 5 mm. subcylindric, striate and lightly 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:  1,967 seeds per gram (based on AOSA pure seed units only from 12 samples received for testing from 1995 to 2001.

Range of percent pure seed: 8% to 12%

Range of percent inert: 83% to 91%

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. Ed. 1993. p. 253
Ransom Seed Laboratory

Artemisia pycnocephala

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

Cirsium scariosum

Cirsium scariosum Nutt.
Elk thistle (Cirsium foliosum (Hook.) DC and C. drummondii Torrey & A. Gray misapplied)

Family:  Asteraceae

Habit:  2 to 6 dm. high, perennial, arachnoid-villous stem, corollas pale or white.

Distribution:  Montane coniferous, in meadows and moist places from British Columbia to Baja California and the Rocky Mountains.

Seed unit:  Achene.

Seed:  3 to 5 mm. long, oblong-obovate, more or less compressed, pappus 15 to 30 mm.

Embryo:  Foliar 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:  1,764 seeds per gram (based on AOSA pure seed units only from 1 sample received for testing from 2002).

Range of percent pure seed:  4%

Range of percent inert:  96%

Description of inert:  Plant material, broken seed.

Planting instructions: 400 seeds, TB, 21 days @ 20-30°C; for fresh and dormant seed, prechill recommended.

References:  (link to main reference page)
Hickman, J.C., Ed.  1993.  p. 239.
Munz, P.A. and D.D. Keck.  1968.  p. 1277. 
Ransom Seed Laboratory

Chaenactis artemisiifolia

Chaenactis artemisiifolia (A.Gray) A. Gray
Pincushion

Family:  Asteraceae

Habit:  Annual, to 20 dm., whitish, scaly-puberulent below and branched above middle.

Distribution:  Found on open slopes and disturbed areas in the Transverse and Peninsular Ranges of Southern California and northern Baja California.

Seed unit:  Achene.

Seed:  Compressed achene, 4 to 7 mm. long, without pappus.

Embryo:  Foliar embryo.

Purity instructions:   Pure seed definition: 
AOSA:  PSU# 27 - Intact achene 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 pericarp/seed coat; if broken, larger than one-half the original size.
ISTA:  PSD #1 – Achene, unless it is obvious that no seed is present.

Lab notes:  Transparent, obviously empty achenes called inert.  Use of a diaphanoscope is helpful.

Average pure seed units per gram:  2,239 seeds per gram (based on AOSA pure seed units only from 4 samples received for testing from 1994 to 2004).

Range of percent pure seed:   48 to 67%

Range of percent inert:  32 to 51%

Description of inert:  Plant material, broken seed.

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

References:  (link to main reference page)
Hickman, J.C., Ed.  1993.  p. 224.
Ransom Seed Laboratory

Baccharis pilularis

Baccharis pilularis D.C.
Chaparral broom, Coyote brush

Family: Asteraceae

Habit: Shrub to 10 ft.

Distribution:  Found on coastal bluffs to oak woodland, in coastal sage scrub, and invading grassland in the central and south coast of California.  Also found on all four Channel Islands.

Seed unit: Achene.

Seed: 1 to 2 mm., glabrous, 8 to 10 ribs, 5 to 9 mm. long conspicuous white pappus emitting from apical ring.  Has a basal attachment scar.

Embryo: Foliar, well developed cotyledons with 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:  22,235 seeds per gram (based on AOSA pure seed units only from 54 samples received for testing from 1993 to 2002).

Range of percent pure seed:  1% to 10%

Range of percent inert:  89% t0 99%

Description of inert:  Broken seed, dead insects, plant material (free pappus).

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. 210.
Ransom Seed Laboratory
Smith, C.F.  1998.  p. 148.

Ericameria palmeri

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

Acamptopappus sphaerocephalus

Acamptopappus sphaerocephalus (A. Gray) A.Gray.
Goldenhead

Family:  Asteraceae

Habit:  Low (to 1 m.) much-branched desert shrub with white bark.

Distribution:  Found in gravelly or rocky soils, on flats or slopes in deserts to juniper woodlands; in the mountains and deserts of southern Californiato Utah, Nevada, and Arizona.

Seed unit:  Achene.

Seed:   Achene less than 3 mm. long, densely long-hairy, hairs white to bronze.  Pappus of stiff, widely spreading bristles.

Embryo:  Foliar embryo, 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# 5 - Achene with or without pappus or bristle, unless it is obvious that no seed is present.

Average pure seed units per gram:  1,015 seeds per gram (based on AOSA pure seed units only from 7 samples received for testing from 1998 to 2004).

Range of percent pure seed:   47 to 59%

Range of percent inert:  38 to 52%

Description of inert:  Plant material, dead insects.

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. 188.
Munz, P.A. and D.D. Keck.  1968.  p. 1168.
Ransom Seed Laboratory