Propagation protocol for desert peach (Prunus andersonii [Rosaceae])

Abstract

Desert peach (Prunus andersonii A. Gray [Rosaceae]) is a common component of sagebrush and desert mountain shrub communities in the Great Basin and Mojave Desert. Freshly harvested seeds of this species readily germinate without pre-treatment if seeds remain moist immediately after cleaning. Unlike many Prunus L. species, stored desert peach seeds require only a 6 to 8 wk naked, cold stratification to obtain high rates of germination. Stored seeds remain viable for at least 6 y. Seedlings can be produced in 7 mo in 164 ml (10 in³) Ray Leach cells. This species is utilized for desert mountain shrub and sage steppe restoration and is suitable for xeric landscapes of the Great Basin and desert regions of Nevada and California.