Polygonum punctatum

Polygonum punctatum Elliott
Dotted smartweed

Family:  Polygonaceae

Habit:  Sprawling perennial 3 to 10 dm. high, branched and subglabrous.

Distribution:  Common in moist low places, California to Washington.

Seed unit:  Achene.

Seed:  2- to 3-angled, black or reddish shiny, often in perianth (2.0 to 3.5 mm. long).

Embryo:  Peripheral curved embryo with developed cotyledon and hard, starchy endosperm.

Purity instructions:  Pure seed definition:
AOSA:  PSU#29 - Intact achene, with or without perianth, whether or not a seed is present. Seed, with or without pericarp/seed coat. Piece of broken seed larger than one-half the original size.

Lab notes: Achenes are often empty.

Average pure seed units per gram:  430 seeds per gram (based on AOSA pure seed units only from 3 samples received for testing from 2001 to 2002).

Range of percent pure seed:  38 to 96% 

Range of percent inert:  3 to 61% 

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

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. 891
Ransom Seed Laboratory

Eriogonum umbellatum

Eriogonum umbellatum Torrey.
Sulfur flower

Family:  Polygonaceae

Habit:  Shrub, 10 to 200 cm. with densely tomentose leaves (esp. below); flowers yellow becoming reddish.

Distribution:  Abundant in dry, open, often rocky places; California to western Canada, Colorado and New Mexico.  An extremely variable plant.

Seed unit:  Three-sided achene.

Seed:   2 to 5 mm. long, glabrous, lance ovoid, outer wall (pericarp) firm, brittle.

Embryo:  Peripheral, curved embryo with hard, starchy endosperm.

Purity instructions:   Pure seed definition: 
AOSA:  PSU #29 – Intact achene with or without perianth, whether or not a seed is present.  Pieces of broken achene larger than one-half of the original size, unless no seed is present.

Lab notes:  Often achenes with floral parts are immature and empty.

Average pure seed units per gram:  407 seeds per gram (based on AOSA pure seed units only from 23 samples received for testing from 1992 to 2001.

Range of percent pure seed:   50% to 95%

Range of percent inert:  4% to 49%

Description of inert:   Broken seed, plant material, live 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. 880.
Munz, P.A. and D.D. Keck.  1968.  p. 336.
Ransom Seed Laboratory

Eriogonum latifolium

Eriogonum latifolium Smith
Coast buckwheat

Family:  Polygonaceae

Habit:  Pink flowered shrub, perennial 10 to 70 cm., woody, densely leafy; lanate under leaves.

Distribution:  Common on coastal bluffs, scrub, north and central California coast to Washington.

Seed unit:  Three-sided achene with or without perianth.

Seed:  3 to 4 mm. long, glabrous, lance-ovoid, outer wall (pericarp) firm, brittle.

Embryo:  Peripheral, curved embryo and hard starchy endosperm.  

Purity instructions:  Pure seed definition:
AOSA:  PSU#29 - Intact achene with or without perianth, whether or not a seed is present.  Piece of broken achene larger than one half of the original size, unless no seed is present. 

Lab notes:  Often achenes with floral parts are immature and empty. 

Average pure seed units per gram:   1,114 seeds per gram (based on AOSA pure seed units only from 15 samples received for testing from 1992 to 2002).

Range of percent pure seed:  33% to 95%

Range of percent inert:   4% to 59%

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. 874.
Munz, P.A. and D.D. Keck.  1968.  p. 351.
Ransom Seed Laboratory