Winterfat

Krascheninnikovia lanata

Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Amaranthaceae
Genus:
Krascheninnikovia
Species:
Krascheninnikovia lanata

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Shrub , Subshrub
Height:
3-4 ft
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
Medium
Bloom Months:
mar, apr, may, jun
Bloom Colors:
White
Landscaping Shrub:
Yes

Native Range

United States: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, Canada: Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Yukon

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Bucculatrix eurotiella

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
pH:
6.0 - 8.0 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
dry to moderate
Notes:
Thrives in arid and semi-arid regions

Germination Information

Pre-treatment: Freshly harvested seed may require prechilling of 41°F for 14 days prior to germination. Seeds are also soaked in water for 1 to 2 hrs to remove any inhibitors and to allow full imbibition of seeds prior to sowing.

Establishment: Germination rates heavily depend on the age of the seed. Fresh (1-2 years old) seed germination rates are typically 85-95% but seed 3 years old or older has germination rates of 0-15%, even under optimal storage conditions. The plant does not tolerate excessive moisture or acidic soils and is usually found on slopes and plains, sometimes on alkaline soils from 2,000–7,000 ft (500-2100m).

Source: npn.rngr.net