Stokesia Laevis (J. Hill) Greene]
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Literature Cited Pattison, R. R., G. Goldstein, and A. Ares. 1998. Growth, biomass allocation and photosynthesis of invasive and native Hawaiian rainforest species. Oecologia 117:449-459. Baruch, Z. and G. Goldstein. 1999. Leaf construction cost, nutrient concen Peters, R. L. and R. F. Noss. 1995. America's endangered ecosystems. Defend tration, and net CO2 assimilation of native and invasive species in Hawaii. ers Magazine 70 (4): 16. Oecologia 121:183-192. Randall, J. M. and J. Marinelli (Eds.). 1996. Invasive Plants, Weeds of the Glo FLEPPC. 2001. List of Florida's Most Invasive Species. Florida Exotic Pest bal Garden. Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Inc., Brooklyn, N.Y. Plant Council, http://www.fleppc.org. Simberloff, D. 1994. Why is Florida being invaded? In: D. C. Schmitz and Florida First. Focusing IFAS resources on solutions for tomorrow. 1999. Uni T. C. Brown (Eds.). An Assessment of Invasive Non-indigenous Species in versity of Florida. Website: http://floridafirst.ufl.edu. Florida's Public Lands. Tech. Rept. No. TSS-94-100. Fla. Dept. Environ. Langeland, K. A. and K. C. Burks (Eds.). 1998. Identification and Biology of Prot., Tallahassee. Non-Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas. University of Florida, Wunderlin, R. P. 1998. Guide to the Vascular Plants of Florida. University Gainesville. Press of Florida, Gainesville. Proc. Fla. State HorL Soc. 114:250-251. 2001. STRATIFICATION UNNECESSARY FOR GERMINATION OF SEEDS OF STOKES ASTER [STOKESIA LAEVIS (J. HILL) GREENE] Lyn A. Gettys and Dennis J. Werner converted to epoxy oil products, which can be used in the North Carolina State University manufacture of plastics and adhesives (Campbell, 1981; Klei- Department of Horticultural Science man, 1990). The market for epoxy oils is large; in the 1980s, 266 Kilgore Hall, NCSUBox 7609 the annual global market for seed-derived epoxy oils was be Raleigh, NC 27695-7609 tween 45,000 and 90,000 million tons per year (Campbell, 1981; Princen, 1983). Manufacturing operations in the Unit ed States alone currently utilize between 50,000 and 75,000 Additional index words. Stokesia laevis, sexual propagation, million tons of epoxy oil on an annual basis (Cunningham, native plant, vernolic acid, epoxy oils, Asteraceae, Composi- 1997). Most epoxy oils now used are derived from traditional tae, Vernonieae. petrochemicals and the processing of linseed and soybean oils. Cultivation of stokes aster as an oilseed crop potentially Abstract. The goal of this study was to determine stratification would reduce the amount of petrochemicals used in this pro and temperature requirements for germination of seeds of cess, and provide an alternative, sustainable source for raw stokes aster [Stokesia laevis (J. Hill) Green]. No significant dif material (Gunn and White, 1974; White, 1977). ferences were noted between seeds that were unstratified and Stokes aster is typically propagated by seed, division, or those that were stratified for 15,30,45, or 60 days at 4°C. In ad root cuttings (Brickell, 1992; DeFreitas, 1987; Hay and Synge, dition, no significant differences were found between seeds germinated at 15°C or 20°C after stratification. These data sug 1975; Hosoki et al., 1995). While most cultivars of stokes aster gest that stratification is not necessary for germination of must be propagated asexually to retain their unique charac seeds of stokes aster, and that germination is equally suc teristics, the species and selected cultivars may be propagated cessful at 15°C and 20°C. by sexual means. Seed retention and germination is variable among genotypes, and seeds germinate slowly in soil (White, 1977). Conflicting information is available regarding opti Stokes aster is a native herbaceous perennial that has po mum germination conditions. For example, Jelitto Perennial tential for greater use as a landscape ornamental and as an in Seed Co. (Schwarmstedt, Germany) suggested that germina dustrial crop. The large, showy flowers make it an ideal tion is irregular and may take place over an extended time. In candidate for inclusion in the home garden, and the availabil addition, Jelitto suggests a germination temperature of less ity of several attractive cultivars provides gardeners and land- than 5°C. Thompson & Morgan Inc. (Suffolk, England) stat scapers the opportunity to choose from a variety of flower ed that germination may take up to a year. Specialty Perennial colors. The seeds of stokes aster contain large amounts of ver Seeds (Apple Valley, Minn.) and Germania Seed Company nolic (12,13-epoxy-cis-9-octadecenoic) acid, a fatty acid that is (Chicago, 111.) recommended that seeds be frozen for 5 d, then germinated at 15.5°C to 18.3°C for 14 to 21 d to achieve best germination. Armitage (1994) stated that optimum ger Present address of senior author: Fort Lauderdale Research and Educa mination requires 6 weeks of stratification at 4°C before ger tion Center, University of Florida, IFAS, 3205 College Ave., Fort Lauderdale, minating at 19°C. Campbell (1984) performed studies that FL 33314. This research was funded in part by the North Carolina Agricultur al Research Service (NCARS) and the Perennial Plant Association. This pa showed best germination occurred at 20°C; in addition, per is a portion of a thesis submitted by Lyn A. Gettys in partial fulfillment of Campbell also stated that seeds do not germinate at tempera the requirements for the MS degree. Mention of a trademark, proprietary tures below 11°C. Clough et al. (1999) suggested that seeds product, or vendor does not constitute a guarantee or warranty of the prod germinate without stratification in 12 d at 21°C. Light does uct by North Carolina State University and does not imply its approval to the exclusion of other products or vendors that might also be suitable. not appear to affect germination (Campbell, 1984; Clough et 250 Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 114: 2001. al., 1999). The goal of this study was to examine the effect of cent germination among any of the treatment groups (data stratification length and post-stratification temperature on not shown). This was true for all stratification length treat germination of seeds of stokes aster. ments, post-stratification temperature treatments, and inter actions between the treatments. This trend continued for the Materials and Methods remainder of the experiment, with no significant differences among any treatments in weeks three and four. Seeds of stokes aster (unnamed accession) utilized in this These data were used by Gettys (2000) to germinate seeds experiment were obtained from Jelitto Perennial Seed Co. produced from self- and cross-pollination of five cultivars of Seeds were less than 1 year old and held at 4°C at Jelitto's fa stokes aster. A total of 985 unstratified seeds produced from cilities and RT (ca. 20°C) in North Carolina. Each experimen hybridization experiments were planted in a heated green tal unit in this study consisted of 50 seeds placed on two house (18°C ± 4°C) at North Carolina State University on 5 saturated germination blotters (Stults Scientific, Springfield, Nov. 1999. A majority (583 seeds; 59%) had germinated by 19 111.) in a single petri plate. Nov. 1999. Germination reached 72% (711 seeds) by 3 Dec. This experiment examined the effects of four differing 1999 and 78% (763 seeds) by 17 Dec. 1999. lengths of stratification (15, 30, 45, or 60 d) at 4°C plus a con This experiment suggests that seeds of stokes aster do not trol, and two post-stratification germination temperatures. require stratification for germination, and that germination is Experimental units were sealed with parafilm to prevent des equally effective at 15°C or 20°C. These results conflict with iccation during stratification and were unwrapped to allow germination guidelines published in the popular press and in data collection during the germination temperature regime seed company catalogs, such as Jelitto Perennial Seed Co. phase. Units were hand-watered as necessary during the data (2000). The data also conflict with germination requirements collection period. Placement in the stratification chamber published in the literature. For example, Armitage (1994) was staggered so that all treatments were removed from strat stated that seeds of stokes aster require stratification for 6 ification on 14 May 1999. All treatments were moved to ger weeks at 4°C before germinating at 19°C, and Campbell mination chambers in the North Carolina State University (1984) stated that seeds of stokes aster required temperatures Southeastern Plant Environment Laboratories (the Phyto- of 11°C or greater for germination to occur. tron) when stratification treatments were concluded. A total of 40 experimental units were used in this experiment. Eight Literature Cited units were placed in the stratification chamber on 15 Mar. 1999 and had received 60 d of stratification when moved to Armitage, A. M. 1994. Ornamental bedding plants. CAB Intl. Wallingford, UK. the Phytotron on 14 May 1999. Eight additional units were Brickell, C. (Ed.-in-chief). 1992. The American Horticultural Society encyclo placed in the stratification chamber on 30 Mar. 1999, 14 Apr. pedia of garden plants. Macmillan, New York. Campbell, T. A. 1981. Agronomic potential of stokes aster. Amer. Oil Chem. 1999, and 29 Apr 1999 to provide 45, 30, and 15 d of stratifi Soc. Mono. Champaign, 111. 9:287-295. cation, respectively. Eight experimental units were construct Campbell, T. A. 1984. Response of stokes aster achenes to chilling. J. Amer. ed on 14 May 1999; these units received no stratification and Soc. Hort. Sci. 109:736-741. served as controls. Four experimental units were randomly Clough, E., A. Cameron, R. Heins, and W. Carlson. 1999. Forcing perenni chosen from the eight in each stratification treatment group als—crop by crop, p. 40-49. In: D. Onofrey (Ed.). Greenhouse Grower Oc tober 1999. Meister Publ. Co., Willoughby, Ohio.