Assessment of Seed Germinability after Prolonged Seed Storage for Synthyris bullii (Plantaginaceae), a Rare Endemic of the Midwestern U.S.A.

Abstract

Synthyris bullii (Plantaginaceae; Besseya bullii; kittentails) is a rare endemic of the Midwestern U.S.A. Although seed germination studies have been conducted for this species, limited information is available regarding seed viability after prolonged seed storage. The main goal of this study was to re-assess seed germinability of Synthyris bullii seeds collected from 2008 to 2011 across its range. Overall, we found regardless of seed age, locality (i.e., site and state), and maternal environment (i.e., open, semi-shaded, and shaded) seeds are still viable. Although values were low for seed germination and seedling survivorship, the results of this study are encouraging and point to seed harvesting and storage as one way to preserve this species.