Germination Responses in Alpine Species

Abstract

Germination studies were conducted on seeds of six species of alpine plants; some of these are restricted to areas above timber line, while others are found throughout the central United States. Species used included Deschampsia caespitosa (L.) Beauv., Geum turbinatum Rydb., Luzula spicata (L.) DC., Pulsatilla ludoviciana (Nutt.) Heller, Sedum stenopetalum Pursh., and Trisetum spicatum (L.) Richt. Seeds of all species except P. ludoviciana were collected from an alpine area in Colorado. Seeds of that species and of S. stenopetalum were collected from a foothills region in Colorado, and P. ludoviciana seeds were also collected from prairie areas in southwestern Wisconsin. Reasonably good germination was obtained for all species, except L. spicata, under one or more of the conditions used. Maximum germination values ranged from 63% to 90%. Germination values for most species were consistently high with alternating temperature ranges of 10-20 C for the low temperatures and 25-30C for the high temperatures. Luzula spicata seeds were found to be viable by a tetrazolium test; however, no techniques were found that would break the extreme dormancy and permit germination. Additional factors considered included the individual effects of potassium nitrate, moisture stress, subfreezing temperature, and the interaction of temperature, light conditions, and collection area upon germination.