RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Viability of Blackbrush seed (Coleogyne ramosissima Torr. [Rosaceae]) JF Native Plants Journal JO NATIVE PLANTS JOURNAL FD University of Wisconsin Press SP 5 OP 13 DO 10.3368/npj.13.1.5 VO 13 IS 1 A1 Rosemary L Pendleton A1 Burton K Pendleton A1 Susan E Meyer A1 Stephanie Carlson A1 Elizabeth Morrison YR 2012 UL http://npj.uwpress.org/content/13/1/5.abstract AB Blackbrush (Coleogyne ramosissima Torr. [Rosaceae]) is a landscape-dominant shrub that occurs in an ecotonal band between warm and cold deserts of the western US. This vegetation type is at considerable risk from stand-replacing wildfires due to the introduction of exotic annual grasses. Because black-brush does not form a persistent seedbank, restoration following fire requires that seed produced in mast years be collected and stored for future use. This study examined germination of 32 collections of blackbrush seed following 12 to 27 y of storage at room temperature. Germination and emergence of multiple seed collections taken from across the geographic and elevational range of this species revealed that blackbrush seed can be maintained in storage for long periods of time. Average germination remained high (> 80%) for the first 10 to 12 y of storage. Emergence was low, however, when germination percentage fell below 50%, indicating that production from older seed may require that germinants be planted in a greenhouse to produce plants for later outplanting to the field. Based on current climate predictions, blackbrush will likely migrate upward in elevation and (or) latitude as conditions become warmer and drier. Seed for restoration would best be used at the blackbrush upper elevational range or higher.