Clarkia bottae

Clarkia bottae (Spach) Harlan Lewis & M. Lewis
Punchbowl godetia

Family:  Onagraceae

Habit:  Annual, erect, to 1 m.; glabrous, glaucous; with lavender inflorescence.

Distribution:  Found in openings in chaparral, woodland and coastal scrub of South Coast and Peninsular Ranges of California.

Seed unit:  Free seed.

Seed:   Seed brown, .5 to 2 mm., angled, scarcely if at all crested.  In elongate, indehiscent capsule.

Embryo:  Linear embryo with no 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:  Pale intact seeds, possibly devoid of embryo, considered pure.

Average pure seed units per gram:  4,990 seeds per gram (based on AOSA pure seed units only from 3 samples received for testing from 1996 to 2004).

Range of percent pure seed:   97 to 98%

Range of percent inert:  1 to 2%

Description of inert:   Plant material, insects, dirt.

Planting instructions:  400 seeds, TB, 21 days @ 15°C; for fresh and dormant seed, prechill with GA3 recommended.

References:  (link to main reference page)
Hickman, J.C., Ed.  1993.  p. 789.
Munz, P.A. and D.D. Keck.  1968.  p. 940.
Ransom Seed Laboratory

Camissonia cheiranthifolia

Camissonia cheiranthifolia (Sprengel) Raim.
Beach evening primrose

Family:  Onagraceae

Habit:  Perennial, prostrate, short-lived subshrub with wiry stems radiating from central rosette.  Day-flowering. 

Distribution:  Found on beaches, coastal dunes, and sandy slopes from Oregon to Baja California.

Seed unit:  Free seed.             

Seed:  1.2 to 1.3 mm. long, dull brownish to black, obovoid minutely cellular-pitted.  Fruit is four-angled, coiled capsule containing seeds in one row per chamber.

Embryo:  Foliar embryo.

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.

Average pure seed units per gram:  5,997 seeds per gram (based on AOSA pure seed units only from 13 samples received for testing from 1994 to 2004).

Range of percent pure seed:  87% to 99%

Range of percent inert:  1% to 12%

Description of inert:  Dirt, broken seed, plant material.

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

References:  (link to main reference page)
Hickman, J.C., Ed.  1993.  p. 782.
Munz, P.A. and D.D. Keck.  1968.  p. 957.
Ransom Seed Laboratory
Rules for Testing Seeds, AOSA

Bloomeria crocea

Bloomeria crocea (Torr.) Cov.
Common goldenstar

Family:  Liliaceae

Habit:  Perennial from corm with generally one basal leaf 1.6 to 6 dm. high., with orange-yellow flowers.

Distribution:  Grassland, open woodlands, and chaparral edges, often in heavy soils, up to 5,000 ft. South Coast, Transverse, and PeninsularRanges from Santa Barbara to Baja California.

Seed unit:  Free seed.

Seed:  2 mm. long, black, sub-ovoid, angular, coat wrinkled.  Seeds found in 3-angled loculicidal capsule, 5 to 6 mm. long.

Embryo:  Central axile, linear embryo in hard 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.

Average pure seed units per gram:  614 seeds per gram (based on AOSA pure seed units only from 21 samples received for testing from 1994 to 2004).

Range of percent pure seed:   68 to 99%

Range of percent inert:  1 to 30%

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

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

References:  (link to main reference page)
Hickman, J.C., Ed.  1993.  p. 1180.
Munz, P.A. and D.D. Keck.  1968.  p. 1379.
Ransom Seed Laboratory

Trichostema lanatum

Trichostema lanatum Benth.
Woolly bluecurls, Romero

Family:  Lamiaceae

Habit:  Shrub 5 to 15 dm. tall, rounded, many-branched, strong-scented.  Flowers in dense, violet- to purplish, woolly, interrupted spikes.

Distribution:   Found on dry slopes, chaparral, coast ranges near the California coast from Monterey and San Benito County to Baja California.

Seed unit:   Nutlet.

Seed:   Fruit with 2 to 4 nutlets, each 2 to 4 mm. long, irregularly reticulate, minutely hirsute.  (Individual nutlets are considered the seed unit.)

Embryo:  Linear.

Purity instructions:   Pure seed definition: 
AOSA:  PSU #10 – Intact nutlet, whether or not a seed is present.  Piece of broken nutlet larger than one-half of the original size, unless no seed is present.  Seed, with or without seed coat.  Piece of broken seed, with or without seed coat, larger than one-half the original size.

Lab notes:  Seeds of this species are often deeply dormant; a TZ test may be used to determine viability of firm, ungerminated seeds.

Average pure seed units per gram:  605 seeds per gram (based on AOSA pure seed units only from 31 samples received for testing from 1999 to 2005).

Range of percent pure seed:   11 to 75%

Range of percent inert:  23 to 87%

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

Planting instructions:  400 seeds, TB, 21 days @ 15°C; for fresh and dormant seed, GA3 recommended.

References:  (link to main reference page)
Hickman, J.C., Ed.  1993.  p. 732.
Munz, P.A. and D.D. Keck.  1968.  p. 693.
Ransom Seed Laboratory

Salvia mellifera

Salvia mellifera E. Greene
Black sage

Family: Lamiaceae 

Habit: Purple-flowered shrub, 1 to 2 m.; hairy, glandular.

Distribution: Commonly scattered about chaparral from coastal mesas, hills and mountains in central western California to northern Baja California, Mexico.

Seed unit: Nutlet, 2 to 3 mm.            

Seed:  Ovoid compressed-triangular, surface marbled, spotted, brownish.

Embryo: Embryo spatulate, well-developed cotyledons, very little or no endosperm.

Purity instructions:  Pure seed definition:
AOSA:  PSU#10 - Intact nutlet, whether or not a seed is present. Piece of broken nutlet larger than one-half of the original size, unless no seed is present. Seed, with or without seed coat.

Lab notes: Mature-sized nutlets are often empty.

Average pure seed units per gram:  1,270 seeds per gram (based on AOSA pure seed units only from 107 samples received for testing from 1992 to 2002).

Range of percent pure seed:  39% to 99%

Range of percent inert:  1% to 60%

Description of inert:  Broken seed, plant material.

Planting instructions:  400 seeds, TB, 21 days @ 15° to 25°C; for fresh and dormant seed, 15°C and GA3 recommended.                     

References:  (link to main reference page)
Hickman, J.C., Ed.  1993.  p. 728.
Ransom Seed Laboratory

Sisyrinchium bellum

Sisyrinchium bellum Wats.
Blue-eyed-grass 

Family:  Iridaceae

Habit:  Tufted perennial; stems from 1 to 6 dm. high, almost always with leaf-bearing nodes; leaves narrow and grass-like.   Flower 10.5 to 17 mm. with deep bluish purple to blue-violet color, rarely white.

Distribution:  Common in moist, open grassy areas and woodlands in California and Oregon.

Seed unit:  Free seed (fruit is a loculicidal capsule).

Seed:  1 to 1.5 mm. across, globular to rounded-angular; black, surface reticulated to nearly smooth.  The attachment zone is a puckered-up depression.  Endosperm hard and semi-transparent or whitish. 

Embryo:  Linear embryo.

Purity instructions:   Pure seed definition: 
AOSA:  PSU #1 – Seed, with or without seed coat; broken seed larger than one-half the original size.

Average pure seed units per gram:  804 seeds per gram (based on AOSA pure seed units only from 54 samples received for testing from 1992 to 2003).    

Range of percent pure seed:   95% to 99%

Range of percent inert:  Trace to 3%

Description of inert:   Dirt, plant material, stone.

Planting instructions:  400 seeds, TB, 21 days @ 15°C; for fresh and dormant seed, extend test for up to 3 months, or use TZ.  5°C prechill not recommended.

References:  (link to main reference page)
Hickman, J.C., Ed.  1993.  p. 1156.
Martin, A.C. and W.D. Barkley.  1961.  p. 142.
Munz, P.A. and D.D. Keck.  1968.  p. 1392.
Ransom Seed Laboratory

Eucrypta chrysanthemifolia

Eucrypta chrysanthemifolia (Benth.) E. Greene
Eucrypta

Family: Hydrophyllaceae

Habit: Annual, erect to spreading, 2 to 5 dm. tall; glandular with a characteristic odor.

Distribution: Scattered about disturbed places and burns in coastal sage scrub, canyons, chaparral and woodlands of the southern Sierra Nevada foothills, San Joaquin Valley, California central coast, the Channel Islands, deserts of Nevada, Arizona, and Baja California, Mexico.

Seed unit: Free seed.

Seed: 1 to 1.5 mm. Dimorphic, some disklike and smooth, others wrinkled and oblong.

Embryo:  Linear embryo surrounded by 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.      

Average pure seed units per gram:  2,703 seeds per gram (based on AOSA pure seed units only from 9 samples received for testing from 1999 to 2002).

Range of percent pure seed: 31% to 67%

Range of percent inert: 32% to 68%

Description of inert:  Plant material.

Planting instructions:  400 seeds, TB, 21 days @ 20°C; for fresh and dormant seed, prechill and GA3 recommended.

References:  (link to main reference page)
Hickman, J.C., Ed.  1993.  p. 686.
Munz, P.A. and D.D. Keck.  1968.  p. 519.
Ransom Seed Laboratory

Dicentra chrysantha

Dicentra chrysantha (Hook. & Arn.) Walp.
Golden Ear-drops

Family:  Fumariaceae [Papaveraceae]

Habit:  Herbaceous perennial; glaucous, erect, with several stems from stout roots, 5 to 15 dm. high.  Flowers erect, yellow, 12 to 16 mm.

Distribution:  Often found in burns or disturbed places on dry slopes, in chaparral, yellow pine and oak woodland communities from northwestern California and the Sierra Nevada to northern Baja California.

Seed unit:  Disseminated from elongated, lance-ovoid, several-seeded capsule (15 to 25 mm. long)

Seed:  1.5 to 2 mm. long, black, subreniform to almost round, densely papillate. 

Embryo:  Rudimentary embryo in 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.         

Average pure seed units per gram:  1,110 seeds per gram (based on AOSA pure seed units only from 3 samples received for testing from 2001 to 2004). 

Range of percent pure seed:   99% 

Range of percent inert:  1% 

Description of inert:  Plant material.

Planting instructions:  400 seeds, TB, 21 days @ 15°C; for fresh and dormant seed, 15°C and GA3 recommended.

References:  (link to main reference page)
Hickman, J.C., Ed.  1993.  p. 812.
Munz, P.A. and D.D. Keck.  1968.  p. 212.
Ransom Seed Laboratory

Frankenia salina

Frankenia salina (Molina) I.M. Johnston
Alkali heath  (syn. F. grandifolia Cham. & Schldl.)

Family:  Frankeniaceae

Habit:  Shrub, spreading from rhizomes to 3 dm., pink flowered.

Distribution:  Commonly found along ocean bluffs, salt marshes, and mesas of the central and southern California coast and Channel Islands, interior deserts to Nevada, Mexico and South America.

Seed unit:  Fruit is a many (1 to 20) seeded linear capsule; free seeds are the seed unit.

Seed:  1 to 1.5 mm. with ellipsoid shape.

Embryo:  Linear embryo and endosperm.

Purity instructions:  Pure seed definition:
AOSA:  PSU#1 – Seed, with or without seed coat; broken seed larger than one-half the original size.

Lab notes:  Occasionally seeds must be removed from capsules prior to planting in some samples.

Average pure seed units per gram:  5,500 seeds per gram (based on AOSA pure seed units only from 14 samples received for testing from 1996 to 2001). 

Range of percent pure seed:  1% to 12%

Range of percent inert:  87% to 99%

Description of inert:  Plant material, 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. 664
Ransom Seed Laboratory

Senna covesii

Senna covesii A. Gray
Coues’ Cassia, Desert senna (syn. Cassia covesii)

Family:  Fabaceae

Habit:  Subshrub, unarmed, leafy and densely white-hairy; stems 3 to 6 dm.

Distribution:  Dry, sandy desert washes and slopes.  Rare in California. Found in the Sonora Desert, Arizona, Nevada, and Baja California.

Seed unit:  Free seed.

Seed:  Several in flat pods.  Seeds brown, 2 to 4mm., shiny, flattened, irregularly shaped.

Embryo:  Foliar embryo, bent or folded, with hard seed coat.

Purity instructions:   Pure seed definition: 
AOSA:  PSU #2 – Seed with at least a portion of the seed coat attached.  Broken seed larger than one-half the original size with at least a portion of the seed coat attached.

Lab notes:  Samples of this species often contain large percentages of hard seeds; viability of hard seeds can be determined by TZ, or hard seeds can be clipped and chilled with GA3.

Average pure seed units per gram:  44 seeds per gram (based on AOSA pure seed units only from 2 samples received for testing from 1998 to 1999).

Range of percent pure seed:   99%

Range of percent inert:  1%

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. 644.
Ransom Seed Laboratory

Lupinus succulentus

Lupinus succulentus  Dougl. ex Koch
Arroyo Lupine

Family:  Fabaceae

Habit:  Stout annual, 2 to 10 dm. tall, sparsely hairy.  Flowers are generally blue-purple with a white banner spot.

Distribution:  Abundant in open or disturbed areas on grassy flats and slopes.  California coast ranges from Mendocino County to Baja California and inland to Butte and Shasta Counties.

Seed unit:  Free seed.

Seed:  Oblong, 4 to 5 mm. Distinct in having its hilum terminal and often surrounded by a collar which protrudes outward.  Hard seed coat is often mottled or streaked with dark and light markings. 

Embryo:  Foliar embryo with radical tip at the terminal end of the seed.

Purity instructions:   Pure seed definition: 
AOSA:  PSU #2 - Seed with at least a portion of the seed coat attached.  Broken seed larger than one-half the original size with at least a portion of the seed coat attached.  Separated cotyledons are regarded as inert matter.
ISTA:  PSD #10 - Seed, with or without testa.  Piece of seed larger than one-half the original size, with or without testa.

Average pure seed units per gram:  36 seeds per gram (based on AOSA pure seed units only from 90 samples received for testing from 1992 to 2003).

Range of percent pure seed:  96% to 99%

Range of percent inert:  .01% to 2%

Description of inert:   Broken seed, stone, dirt.

Planting instructions:  400 seeds, T, 18 days @ 20°C; for fresh and dormant seed, prechill recommended.

References:  (link to main reference page)
Hickman, J.C., Ed.  1993.  p. 636.
Munz, P.A. and D.D. Keck.  1968.  p. 813.
Ransom Seed Laboratory

Lotus heermannii

Lotus heermannii (Dur. and Hilg.) Greene
Heermann’s Lotus

Family: Fabaceae 

Habit:  Perennial, with many prostrate stems 3 to 10 dm. long forming mats.

Distribution:  Found on moist banks and canyons below 6000 ft. in washes and riverbanks in coastal sage scrub and foothill chaparral from Sonoma County to San Diego County, California.

Seed unit:  1- to 2-seeded pod; free seed.

Seed:  Oblong, curved, greenish to mottled brown with small hilum.  Often in pods, one-seeded, villous, arcuate with a long uncurved beak.

Embryo:  Foliar, radicle folded, radicle tip at the hilum in the middle of the seed. 

Purity instructions:  Pure seed definition:
AOSA:  PSU#9 - Intact pod, with our without calyx or bracts, whether or not a seed is present. Seed with at least a portion of the seed coat attached. Brocken seed larger than one-half the original size with at least a portion of the seed coat attached.
ISTA: PSD#10 - Seed, with or without testa. Piece of seed larger than one-half the original size, with or without testa.

Average pure seed units per gram:  664 seeds per gram (based on AOSA pure seed units only from 9 samples received for testing from 1997 to 2002). 

Range of percent pure seed:  22% to 89%

Range of percent inert:  10% to 77%

Description of inert:  Plant material, stone, insects.

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. 619
Munz, P.A. and D.D. Keck.  1968.  p. 847.
Ransom Seed Laboratory

Amorpha californica

Amorpha californica Nutt.
False indigo

Family:  Fabaceae

Habit:  Deciduous shrub with gland-dotted, heavily scented foliage, 1.5 to 3 m. high.

Distribution:  Found in dry, wooded or brushy slopes below 7500 ft. in yellow pine forests and chaparral of the foothills and mountain ranges in California, Arizona, and northern Baja California.

Seed unit:  Pod, 1- to 2-seeded, exceeding the calyx; indehiscent, 6-8 mm. long, gland-dotted.

Seed:  3 to 4 mm.; oblong or curved, rounded and broadened at apex.  Olive green to brownish, smooth.

Embryo:  Foliar embryo.

Purity instructions:   Pure seed definition: 
AOSA:  PSU #9 – Intact pod, with or without calyx, whether or not a seed is present.  Piece of broken pod larger than one-half of the original size unless no seed is present.  Seed with at least a portion of the seed coat attached.  Broken seed larger than one-half the original size with at least a portion of the seed coat attached. 

Lab notes:  Insect damage on seeds and insect holes in pods usually present.

Average pure seed units per gram:  92 seeds per gram (based on AOSA pure seed units only from 6 samples received for testing from 1994 to 2003).

Range of percent pure seed:   96% to 99%

Range of percent inert:  1% to 3%

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

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

References:  (link to main reference page)
Hickman, J.C., Ed.  1993.  p. 583.
Munz, P.A. and D.D. Keck.  1968.  p. 852.
Ransom Seed Laboratory

Eremocarpus setigerus

Eremocarpus setigerus (Hook.) Benth.
Doveweed, Turkey-mullein (syn. Croton setiger)

Family:  Euphorbiaceae

Habit:  Low, broad, gray, heavy-scented annual with stellate pubescence and longer stinging hairs.  Monoecious.  Seeds often eaten by doves and quail.

Distribution:  Common in dry open places, coastal sage scrub, grassland, foothill and oak woodlands below 2500 feet; from California to Washington.

Seed unit:  Free seed or one-seeded capsule.

Seed:    3 to 4 mm., smooth or ridged, scar not appendaged, gray or mottled.

Embryo:  Linear embryo.

Purity instructions:   Pure seed definition: 
AOSA:  PSU #30 – Intact fruit segment, whether or not a seed is present.  Piece of broken fruit segment larger than one-half of the original size, unless no seed is present.  Seed, with or without seed coat.  Piece of broken seed, with or without seed coat, larger than one-half the original size.

Lab notes:  Samples of this species usually contain mostly free seeds.  However, some seeds may be tightly enclosed within one-seeded capsules, which are considered seed units. 

Average pure seed units per gram:  175 seeds per gram (based on AOSA pure seed units only from 33 samples received for testing from 1992 to 2004).

Range of percent pure seed:   93 to 99%

Range of percent inert:  1 to 5%

Description of inert:   Dirt, live insects, broken seed, plant material.

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. 573.
Munz, P.A. and D.D. Keck.  1968.  p. 162.
Ransom Seed Laboratory

Eleocharis macrostachya

Eleocharis macrostachya Britton
Spikerush

Family:  Cyperaceae

Habit:  Perennial, with rhizomes, stems 5 to 10dm., purplish at base becoming straw-colored above.

Distribution:  Found in marshes, pond margins, vernal pools, and ditches.  Widespread in montane, temperate regions in California and throughout the Western Hemisphere.

Seed unit:  Achene.

Seed:    Achene triangular, strongly flattened, yellowish-brown, 1.5 to 2.5 mm.; tubercle (cap) is more or less conic.  Perianth bristles unequal.

Embryo:  Linear basal embryo.

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.  Seed, with or without pericarp/seed coat; if broken, larger than one-half the original size.

Lab notes:  Samples often have a high percentage of dormant seed; viability of ungerminated seeds may be determined using TZ.

Average pure seed units per gram:  2,373 seeds per gram (based on AOSA pure seed units only from 17 samples received for testing from 1995 to 2004).               

Range of percent pure seed:   79 to 99%

Range of percent inert:  1 to 13%

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

Planting instructions:  400 seeds, TB, 21 days @ 20-35°C; prechill not recommended.

References:  (link to main reference page)
Hickman, J.C., Ed.  1993.  p. 1142.
Martin, A.C. and W.D. Barkley. 1961. p. 136.
Ransom Seed Laboratory

Cyperus eragrostis

Cyperus eragrostis Lam.
Nutsedge 

Family:  Cyperaceae

Habit:  Perennial with short, thick rhizomes, coarse fibrous roots, and triangular stems; 10 to 90 cm. tall.

Distribution:  Common in vernal pools, stream banks, and ditches of California, Oregon, and temperate South America.

Seed unit:  Achene.

Seed:  Achene three-sided, 1.2 to 1.4 mm., stalked, finely reticulate, black to brown; tip beaked.  Some achenes are still enclosed in straw-colored, ovate, three-nerved scales.  Achenes should be removed from pieces of plant material and the scale for the AOSA pure seed definition.

Embryo:  Basal.

Purity instructions:   Pure seed definition: 
AOSA: PSU #28 – Intact achene, whether or not a seed is present, with or without beak.   Piece of broken achene larger than one-half of the original size, unless no seed is present.

Lab notes:  In some samples, low germination may be due to the presence of empty achenes.  When a sample is received that appears unmilled; immature, light colored, “obviously empty” achenes could be removed and categorized as inert matter.  It is recommended that this be communicated on the final data sheet as the removal of immature achenes will alter the final viability results.

Average pure seed units per gram:  8,705 seeds per gram (based on AOSA pure seed units only from 8 samples received for testing from 1994 to 2003).

Range of percent pure seed:  44% to 99%

Range of percent inert:  1% to 55%

Description of inert:  Plant material.

Planting instructions:  400 seeds, TB, 21 days @ 20-35°C; for fresh and dormant seed, prechill recommended.

References:  (link to main reference page)
Hickman, J.C., Ed.  1993.  p. 1139.
Martin, A.C. and W.D. Barkley.  1961.  p.  136.
Munz, P.A. and D.D. Keck.  1968.  p. 1425.
Ransom Seed Laboratory

Carex obnupta

Carex obnupta L. Bailey
Slough sedge

Family:  Cyperaceae

Habit:  Forming beds and dense raised clumps from rhizomes, 3 to 15 dm. long.

Distribution:  Central western California and San Francisco Bay area, north to British Columbia in marshes and wet meadows.

Seed unit:  Achene, purplish-black with lighter center and narrow hyaline margins.

Seed:  Achene hard, lenticular, ovoid, completely surrounded by smooth or toothed perigynium.

Embryo:  Embryo is basal extending less than half the length of the seed in starchy endosperm.

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.

Average pure seed units per gram:  1,203 seeds per gram (based on AOSA pure seed units only from 2 samples received for testing from 2001 to 2002). 

Range of percent pure seed:  99%

Range of percent inert:  1%

Description of inert:  Plant material.

Planting instructions:  400 seeds, TB, 21 days @ 20-35°C; prechill not recommended.

References:  (link to main reference page)
Hickman, J.C., Ed.  1993.  p. 1131.
Munz, P.A. and D.D. Keck.  1968.  p. 1461.
Ransom Seed Laboratory

Helianthemum scoparium

Helianthemum scoparium Nutt.
Common rush-rose, Peak rush-rose

Family:  Cistaceae

Habit:  Bushy, evergreen perennial, 2 to 3 dm., with yellow flowers.

Distribution:  Found on sandy flats and slopes near the coast, in closed-cone pine, woods and coastal scrub.  From Mendocino to Santa Barbara County, Santa Cruz and Santa Rosa Islands.

Seed unit:  Free seed.

Seed:   Seeds are irregular, somewhat angled, black, cellular–papillose, 1 mm. long.  Found in a loculicidal capsule 3 to 4 mm. long. 

Embryo:  Curved embryo with 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:  Samples often have a high percentage of dormant seed; viability of ungerminated seeds may be determined using TZ.

Average pure seed units per gram:  2,251 seeds per gram (based on AOSA pure seed units only from 31 samples received for testing from 1993 to 2004).

Range of percent pure seed:   98 to 99%

Range of percent inert:  1%

Description of inert:   Plant material, stone, 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. 516.
Munz, P.A. and D.D. Keck.  1968.  p. 173.
Ransom Seed Laboratory

Suaeda taxifolia

Suaeda taxifolia Standley
Woolly sea-blite

Family: Chenopodiaceae                                   

Habit:  Shrub to 15 dm., glabrous to densely hairy.

Distribution: Coastal bluffs, margins of salt marshes of southern California coast, Channel Islands to Baja California, Mexico.

Seed unit:  Utricle; free seed.

Seed: 1-2 mm., lenticular, shiny and black or brown.  Nearly circular, except for a slightly hooked projection and notch at the margin.  Often enclosed in a persistent calyx.

Embryo:  Spirally coiled embryo with a thin firm, semi-transparent endosperm on each side.

Purity instructions:   Pure seed definition: 
AOSA:  PSU#38 - Intact utricle with or without perianth, whether or not a seed is present. Piece of broken utricle larger than one-half the original size, unless no seed is present. Seed with or without seed coat.

Lab notes: Calyx may persist, covering the seed.  Seed is often brittle and empty.  Samples often contain many empty floral parts, which can be easily confused with pure seed units.

Average pure seed units per gram:  1476 seeds per gram (based on AOSA pure seed units only from 8 samples received for testing from 1998 to 2003.

Range of percent pure seed:  36% to 53%

Range of percent inert: 46% to 62%

Description of inert:   Plant material, broken seed.

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. 515.
Martin, A.C. and W.D. Barkley.  1961.  p. 152.
Ransom Seed Laboratory

Suaeda moquinii

Suaeda moquinii (Torrey) E. Greene
Bush seepweed

Family:  Chenopodiaceae

Habit:  Shrub 2 to 15 dm., usually with slender, spreading branches; glabrous or hairy, glaucous.

Distribution:  Alkaline and saline places in the interior deserts of California to western Canada, Texas and Mexico.

Seed unit:  Utricle; free seed.

Seed:    Free seed 0.5 to 1 mm., biconvex, shiny and black.  Nearly circular except for a slightly hooked projection and notch on the margin.  Often enclosed in a persistent calyx.

Embryo:  Spirally coiled embryo with a thin, firm, semi-transparent endosperm on each side.

Purity instructions:   Pure seed definition: 
AOSA:  PSU #38 – Intact utricle with or without perianth, whether or not a seed is present.  Piece of broken utricle larger than one-half the original size, unless no seed is present.  Seed with or without seed coat.

Lab notes:  Calyx may persist, covering the seed.  Seed is often brittle and empty.  Samples often contain many empty floral parts, which can be easily confused with pure seed units.

Average pure seed units per gram:  2,069 seeds per gram (based on AOSA pure seed units only from 11 samples received for testing from 1999 to 2003).     

Range of percent pure seed:   6% to 63%

Range of percent inert: 36% to 92%

Description of inert:  Plant material, broken seed, 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. 515.
Martin, A.C. and W.D. Barkley.  1961.  p. 152.
Munz, P.A. and D.D. Keck.  1968.  p. 383.
Ransom Seed Laboratory