[PCA] WEB: Guidebook to the Seeds of Native and Non-Native Grasses, Forbs and Shrubs of the Great Basin

[Olivia Kwong]

http://www.id.blm.gov/techbuls/05_04/

GUIDEBOOK TO THE SEEDS OF NATIVE AND NON-NATIVE GRASSES, FORBS, AND SHRUBS
OF THE GREAT BASIN
Scott Lambert, Bureau of Land Management
Boise, Idaho, Technical Bulletin 2005-04

SUMMARY
This seed and plant guide contains descriptions of over 300 native and
non-native (Introduced) plants and seeds used by the U. S. Department of
Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in the Great Basin region of
Oregon-Washington, Idaho, Utah, Nevada, and California.  It is a partial
list of the grasses, forbs (Wildflowers and herbaceous legumes) and shrubs
available from commercial seed vendors in very limited to good quantities.
The plants described are mostly considered to be plants found in aridland
and upland sites (less than 12 inches mean annual rainfall).  Wherever
possible, information is included on plant ecology, plant propagation,
seeds per pound, seeding rates for mechanical drilling, soils, mean annual
precipitation requirement, and commonly used cultivars (Cultivated
varieties).

In addition to the plant descriptions section, more detailed information
is included in the appendices on plant height, seeding depth, effective
annual precipitation for great Basin plants, seed characteristics, the
minimum pure live seed (PLS) rate for BLM, native plant species by
Ecoregion (EPA, Level III), commercial sources for seed, and a list books
and other publications on plants and seeds.

This guide does not include herbaceous and woody wetland/riparian plants
such as Carex, Juncus, and Scirpus species, refer to other publications
for this information.

BLM's goal is to utilize seed of native plants, native cultivars and
source-identified seed wherever possible for seedings or reestablishing
plants in natural areas, wildlife habitat, wilderness study areas, or
other sites with intact native plant communities. Availability and
reasonable cost of seed of native plants is also an important criterion
for determining where, when and how much seed will be used in a project.
Native species are useful for a variety of land management goals. Some
examples are reduction of soil erosion on roads or other highly disturbed
sites, gene pool preservation, enhance aridland and wetland functions and
values, wildlife food and cover, recreation site rehabilitation, and
watershed restoration.

Non-native plants/seed may be useful for emergency soil stabilization and
weed control after wildfires, floods or other natural disasters.  Other
examples of use for non-native plants/seed include the initial seeding or
planting on a highly disturbed site with few native plants or where native
seed stock is not available and as forage for specific wildlife species or
domestic livestock.  Where native seeds are unavailable or no longer
appropriate for the area, non-native seeds are utilized.  In some cases,
the seed of non-native plants may be used as an intermediary solution to
restoring the desired native plant community.

Seed and plants of many native species may not be readily available from
commercial sources.  Contract growing or wildland seed collection of
source identified material may be an option for some projects with
specific goals such as ecosystem restoration.  Contract growing or seed
collection may take more time and cost more than procuring seed from a
commercial grower.  Native cultivars and varieties may not originate in
the Ecoregion or land resource area they will be planted.  Determine what
plant materials are acceptable for your site or area.  Remember seed and
plant quality standards are very important guidelines when using native or
non-native plant materials.

Seeding rates given for Great Basin plants are the recommended single
species drilled seeding rates. Aerial or broadcast seeding rates are
usually 1.5 to two times the drilled seeding rate.  BLM applies seed based
on the pure live seed (PLS) seed rate, lbs. per acre.  PLS is the percent
pure seed multiplied by the percent of pure seed germination rate for the
individual seed lot.  BLM procures seed by individual seed lots with
separate valid seed tests.  Seed mixtures may consist of several to many
different species or types of seed (grasses, forbs, and shrubs).
Calculate the seed mixture rate (PLS lbs/acre) based on the percent for
each species/type desired in the seed mix.

All seed, native and non-native, procured and used by BLM will meet or
exceed Seed Certification standards for the species or cultivar.  The seed
standards for each species used by BLM will meet or exceed minimum purity,
minimum germination, no noxious weed seed, and less than 2.0% other crop
seed.

The Great Basin seed guide is available through the website:
	http://www.id.blm.gov/techbuls/05_04/

Note: (I) or (N) after the plant's name means the plant is Introduced (I)
to western North America, considered to be a non-native species; or Native
(N) species to a specified geographic area in western North America prior
to the year 1800.

Errata: Page 17, Sand dropseed, Average number of seeds per pound:
5,000,000.