Download CPR Uniola paniculata - Gulf Coast Research Laboratory

Seaoats
Uniola paniculata
Propagation Guide
Scientific Name
Uniola paniculata L.
Common Name
Seaoats
Group
Monocotyledon
Family
Poaceae (Gramineae)
Wetland Indicator Category
FACU
Growth Form
Rhizomatous perennial grass,
stems tall with long and thin leaves
Habitat
Beach, dunes
Uniola paniculata
1 Seed Collection
Observe inflorescence development of Uniola paniculata on beaches and
dunes. In coastal Mississippi and along the northern Gulf of Mexico this
generally occurs between June and November (Radford et al. 1968); however,
this may vary from year to year depending on weather conditions.
The inflorescence of Uniola paniculata is a long dense panicle (a branched
cluster of flowers) with ascending branches. Each branch consists of many
(100-200) light brown spikelets in a distinctive flattened paddle-shaped arrangement.
Uniola paniculata generally produces only a few (six to eight) fertile flowers on a
branch (Wagner 1964) and even fewer flowers will produce a brownish mature dry
fruit (caryopsis) that contains a single seed. Wagner (1964) reported that Uniola
paniculata plants produced less than two viable seeds per branch.
The seeds can be harvested in the field by cutting the stem below the
inflorescences and placing them into large plastic bags. It should be noted that
Uniola paniculata is protected in many states and permits may be required
before collecting the seeds or plant material. Not all inflorescences mature at the
same time. Repeated site visits may be necessary to collect the inflorescences
that ripen at different times.
2 Seed Preparation
The Uniola paniculata inflorescences (which contain the seed-bearing
spikelets) should be processed as soon as possible after collection. The spikelets can
be removed from the inflorescences by hand and air dried at room temperature 70ºF
(21ºC) for several weeks. The seeds are then separated from the spikelets by
crushing and rubbing the spikelets over a U.S.A. Standard Test Sieve No.10 (2 mm
mesh size) to remove the lighter chaff.
The collected seeds are cleaned of debris (insects, plant material, fungalinfected seeds) by spreading small amounts of the sieved seeds onto white paper and
removing the undesirable material with forceps (tweezers). This is a very timeconsuming process, but essential to the successful storage conditions of the seeds.
Burgess et al. (2002) reported there are approximately 96,000 seeds per pound
dry weight.
Distichlis spicata
PHOTO CPR
Uniola paniculata with inflorescences
PHOTO CPR
3 Seed Storage
The cleaned seeds should be stored dry in sealed containers at room
temperature at 70ºF (21ºC). Westra and Loomis (1966) reported storage time
over six months resulted in a decrease in germination.
Before attempting germination, place the dry seeds in tap water and put
them in the refrigerator for approximately 15 days of cold, wet stratification
(Burgess et al. 2002). At this time a (TZ) tetrazolium red dye test can be
performed to determine seed viability (see Appendix A).
4 Seed Germination
Uniola paniculata
PHOTO CPR
The cold and wet stratified seeds are emptied into a U.S.A. Standard Test
Sieve No.18 (1 mm mesh size) and rinsed several times under tap water. This
step is best performed in a fume hood or outdoors to reduce odors.
The rinsed seeds are placed on wet filter paper in covered glass petri
dishes, and tap water is added to cover the seeds. The water level in the petri
dishes should be checked periodically to make sure the seeds do not dry out. At
least 0.25" (0.7 cm) of water is recommended.
These petri dishes are placed under a bank of four to six fluorescent grow
lights (60-100 W, <100 µmol irradiance) until germination occurs. Germination
CENTER FOR PLANT RESTORATION & COASTAL PLANT RESEARCH
Propagation Guide
occurs best at temperatures of 95ºF day: 77ºF night (35:25ºC)
for 8 and 16 hours respectively (Burgess et al. 2002).
Many of the seeds will germinate in about 15 to 30 days.
Seedlings should be transplanted at this stage. Burgess et al.
(2002) reported that rates of seed germination vary from year
to year, and are generally high (70%).
5 Seedling Propagation
When the young seedlings are about 0.5" (1.3 cm) in
height they can be removed from the glass petri dishes and
transplanted into hydrated peat pellets (Jiffy Products -Jiffy 7)
using forceps. Planted seedlings are then placed in 20 x
10" (51 x 25 cm) plastic bedding trays (Landmark Plastic L1020NCR(N) no holes). These hold 50 peat pellets and
should be sub-irrigated with tap water on a daily basis.
Trays with seedlings are best kept indoors in a
temperature controlled room at 81-86ºF (27-30ºC) under
fluorescent grow lights (60-100 W, 60-100 µmol irradiance)
on a 18:6 hour (light:dark) photoperiod. It is important to keep
the young seedlings in a humid environment for one to two
weeks after planting. To reduce desiccation use clear plastic
propagation domes (Curtis Wagner Plastics -CW221) over the
trays. Caution, heat can build up under these domes and kill
the seedlings. Temperature should be kept below 95ºF (35ºC ).
The trays with seedlings can be placed in a greenhouse
and grown for four to six months until they reach a size of at
least 6" (15 cm) tall. These larger plants can then be planted
into 4 or 6" (10 or 15 cm) diameter containers with a loworganic soil mixture (2:1 sand:peat ratio), and kept subirrigated for a minimum of six to eight months to form a welldeveloped root mass (Appendix B). Plants are fertilized with a
full strength (per manufacturer directions) water-soluble
20-20-20 general purpose fertilizer monthly, poured directly
onto the soil. When the root mass is well developed these
plants are ready to be transplanted to a restoration site or
transplanted into larger containers for further growth
(Appendix C).
Alternatively, seedlings can be planted directly into
standard 72 well inserts (Dillen Products -D1206), which fit
into the plastic bedding trays, in a low-organic soil mixture
(2:1 sand:peat ratio). The advantage is that plants grown in
these 1.5" (4 cm) plugs will have a quick turnaround time to
become root-bound in the nursery and can be easily
transported to the restoration site. However, a disadvantage to
these plugs is the plants and the root ball are smaller.
Uniola paniculata inflorescence
PHOTO CPR
1 cm
Uniola paniculata inflorescence with spikelets
PHOTO CPR
6 Vegetative Propagation
Successful vegetative propagation protocols are not
well-known for this species, and should be further
investigated.
1 mm
Uniola paniculata seed
PHOTO CPR
CENTER FOR PLANT RESTORATION & COASTAL PLANT RESEARCH
Uniola paniculata Propagation Guide
Seedling and Plant Propagation Charts
81-86ºF
(27-30ºC)
<95ºF (35ºC)
95ºF (35ºC)
Day
77ºF (25ºC)
Night
Ambient
Temperature
Temperature
Controlled
Fluorescent
18:6 Light:Dark
Greenhouse
Full Sun
Submerge
0.25" Water
Sub-irrigated
Peat Pellets
Sub-irrigated
Peat Pellets/
Containers
Fluorescent
Filter Paper
Seed Germination 2-4 Weeks
Fertilize Monthly
Seedlings 1-2 Weeks
Seedlings 6 Months
Container Plants 6-8 Months
Citations
CPR Propagation Guide Team
Burgess, T.L., F.A. Blazich and D.L. Nash. 2002. Seed germination of southern
seaoats (Uniola paniculata) as influenced by stratification, temperature, and
light. Journal of Environmental Horticulture 20(3): 180-183.
Dr. Patrick Biber
Radford, A.E., H.E. Ahles and C.R. Bell. 1968. Manual of the Vascular Flora of
the Carolinas. The University of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill, NC.
USDA PLANTS profile:
http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=UNPA
Wagner, R.H. 1964. Ecology of Uniola paniculata in the dune-strand habitat of
North Carolina. Ecological Monographs 34: 79-96.
Center for Plant Restoration and Coastal Plant Research:
http://sites.google.com/site/coastalplantrestoration/home
Westra, R.N. and W.E. Loomis. 1966. Seed dormancy in Uniola paniculata.
American Journal of Botany 53(4): 407-411.
Field guide and images of Coastal Mississippi Wetland plant species:
http://jcho.masgc.org/
J.D. Caldwell
Scott R. Caldwell
Matthew Marenberg
Further Information
NRCS Jamie L. Whitten Plant Materials Center:
Plant Guide for Establishing Coastal Vegetation on the Mississippi Gulf Coast
http://www.plant-materials.nrcs.usda.gov/pubs/mspmspu7271.pdf
Dr. Patrick Biber
Email
[email protected]
Phone
228 872 4200
Fax
228 872 4204
Mail
703 East Beach Drive
Ocean Springs, MS 39564
This brochure is funded in part with qualified outer continental shelf oil and gas revenues by the Coastal
Impact Assistance Program, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement, U.S.
Department of the Interior through a grant award to the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources.
The views and conclusions contained in this document are those of the authors and should not be
interpreted as representing the opinions or policies of the U.S. Government. Mention of trade names or
commercial products does not constitute their endorsement by the U.S. Government.