SPECIES Thermopsis rhombifolia v. montana
Common name and alpha code mountain thermopsis THRHM (was T. montana )
General Information Perennial herb

Occurs on well-drained sandy soils to wet meadows and streamsides. 160

TABLE: SEED
Seeds/Lb. 15,000 34

In ref. #88: 30,000/lb, 66/gram (Eddleman, 1978)

Germ % In ref. #88: GERMINATIVE CAPACITY: 50% (Eddleman, 1979); 60% (Eddleman, 1978)
Germ Test Amt  
Germ Test Cost  
Purity %  
Purity Test Amt  
Purity Test Cost  
Germination Pretreatment Requirement

 

 

In ref. #88: STRATIFICATION: Requires long stratification but stratification should not exceed 4 months (Eddleman, 1979)

SCARIFICATION: Nick seed coat of 12-month-old seed (Eddleman, 1978)

LABORATORY GERMINATION:

TEMPERATURE: Constant: Best germination at or near 20°C (Eddleman, 1979); Fluctuating: 30-20°C (Eddleman, 1978)

LIGHT: 8 hours of light during period of high temperature (Eddleman, 1978)

Seed Processing Needed e.g. awns  
Storage Requirements  
Storage Length (Years) In ref. #88: Seed loses viability rapidly and should not exceed 1 year of age (Eddleman, 1979)
Maturity Date Blooms from late spring to mid-summer. 151

May to August 160

In ref. #88: Mid Jul-mid Aug. optimum collection mid Jul-mid Aug (Eddleman, 1978)

Pollinators Seed Dispersal Mechanism  
Breeding: self; Cross; Asexual Reproduction  
Disease Problems  
Insect Predation Seeds sent to BPN in 1994 were "bug damaged" 8
Hand Collection Methods, Problems, and Cost/Lb. Majority of pods sent to BPN in 1994 were empty 8
TABLE: SEED INCREASE INFO
Sow Rate for Seed Increase Plantation,

Lb./Acre

 
1st Year Yield, Lb./acre  
2nd Year Yield, Lb./acre  
Field Life Span: Years  
Production Cost/Lb.  
Field Distance Requirements  
Sow Date In ref #33: PLANTING TIME: Fall planting of 1-year-old seed appears most effective (Eddleman, 1979, 1978)
Miscellaneous Increase Info.  
TABLE: HABITAT
Plant Association Groups Indicates mid seral stages in cool, moist grand fir associations 160
Drought Tolerance High 23; moderate 34
Soil: Texture, Chemicals Not for fine or coarse soils; marginal on moderately fine, acidic, and basic soils 34 Well drained sandy soils to wet meadows and streamsides 160

In ref. #88: EXPOSURE: Higher slopes and ridges (Eddleman, 1978)

SOIL TEXTURE: Medium textured (Eddleman, 1978); nitrogen-fixing 217

Soil Depth  
Ave. Precip. Needs  
Flooding or High Water Tolerance Persists on wet sites or early-seasonally wet sites 34

In ref. #88: Observed on moist, upland fans where soils not strongly saline; well drained (Eddleman, 1978)

Soil Stabilization Can be aggressive; has deep, extensive root system that withstands trampling 23
Palatability and Attractiveness to Animals; Response to Grazing Forage value worthless to low, may be toxic 23 Poisonous to livestock 159; possibly to humans. Increases with overgrazing and other disturbance 160 Eaten by many insects 173; toxic to cattle and humans 217
Elevation Range Near sea level 23 to ??
Competitiveness Highly competitive; sometimes competes with other vegetation that is considered more valuable, for grazing 159
Plasticity  
Root System: Rhizomes, Stolons, etc. Roots are perennial, often woody and with much-branched root crown 23 Rhizomatous 159
Shade Tolerance Full sun to partial shade 34
TABLE: CONSERVATION SOWING ON N.F. SITES
WCF Cost/Lb. (1997) $177 73
Sow Rate for.  Sowing on National Forest Sites, Lb./Acre 20 Lb./acre 34
Sowing Method and Date  
Miscellaneous  

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