HOFFMAN, G. R., M. B. HOGAN, and L. D. STANLEY (Dept. Biol., Uniiv. South Dakota, Vermillion, SD 57069). Germinatioii of plant species commiioii to reservoir shores inthe Northern Great Plainis. Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 107: 506-513. 1980.Shores of fluctuating water level reservoirs are stressful habitats for plant establishment. Shores are inundated by high water during part of the year and many plants are drowned. Durinig another part of the year shores are exposed when water levels recede and surviving plants are left high and dry. We studied germination characteristics of 14 plant species comlimoni to reservoir shores in the Northern Great Plains. Mature disseminules, collected durinig July and August, 1977, were stored out-of-doors in a shaded site in Vermillioni, SD, until they were tested for germination. Half the disseminules were tested in the autumnl, from 13 October to 11 November, 1977. The remaining half overwintered in these coniditionis: (1) dry, (2) on moist filter paper in light and in darkness, and (3) in light in water. These were tested for germinability during 3 April to 2 May, 1978. Germiniationl was tested in light oni moist filter paper, in darkness oni moist filter paper, and in water in light. Chenopoditm albumt, Polygonum lapathifolium and Rumex ma?ritimins failed to germillate in the autumn. Beckmannia syzig'achne, Kochia scoparia, anld Rumex crispts germiniated 5% or less in the autumn. Among the species that germinated 10% or niiore in the autumnii, Alopecutrus aequalis, A. arundinaceus, Poa pal ustris, and P. pratensis germinated best in water. Bromus japonicus, Hordeum jubatum, and Thilaspi arvense germiiiated best in darkness. Phalaris arundinacea germiniated best in light on moist filter paper. Overwintering, either dry or most, enhanced germiniability of all species except Bromus japonicus. Stratification was required for germinationi of Polygonum lapathifolium and Rumex crispus, and resulted in much greater germiiiinationi of Alopecntruts arundinaceus, Beckmannia syzigachne, Bromts japonicus, Horddetm jubatum, Phalaris arundinacea, Po'a palustris, and P. pratensis. The design of this study permits an ecological interpretatioIn of the results mainy of wvhiclh corresponid to observations inade on seedling distributions in the field.