Seed increase protocol for rabbit ears gilia (Ipomopsis aggregata ssp. weberi) and yellow Indian paintbrush (Castilleja flava var. flava)

Rabbit ears gilia is a rare subtaxa of scarlet gilia and is found primarily in Colorado and Wyoming.

Cultivated rabbit ears gilia in containers at USDA FS CDA Nursery, showing flowering color and morphology. Plants shown are in their second (reproductive) year of growth.

Rabbit ears gilia seed cleaned to 90–95% purity and fill prior to freezer storage.

Established seed increase plot of yellow Indian paintbrush (Castilleja flava S. Watson var. flava [Orobanchaceae]) growing alongside white sagebrush (Artemisia ludoviciana Nutt. [Asteraceae]) host plants at the USDA FS CDA Nursery.

Brushed (Westrup LA-H brush machine) yellow Indian paintbrush seed-bearing material ready to be passed through an air column separator (background) to separate chaff from seed.

Cleaned and packaged seed harvested from yellow Indian paintbrush increase plot at the USDA FS CDA Nursery, showing variation in seed size.