Annual Agoseris
Agoseris heterophylla
- Native to:
- Canada, Mexican Pacific Is., Mexico, United States
Thayne Tuason
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Genus:
- Agoseris
- Species:
- Agoseris heterophylla
- USDA Symbol:
- AGHE2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies, small mammals
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from taproots after fire. Benefits from fire-induced nutrient cycling in native grassland and sagebrush ecosystems.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- Common in open, disturbed areas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require light for germination. Surface sow or barely cover with soil.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seed germination is stimulated by the presence of charred wood or aqueous extracts of it. 30 days of cool, moist stratification is needed. Seed collected and stored at room temperature can be cold stratified for 3 weeks.
Establishment: Seed is an achene which ripens beginning in June. It is collected when the pappus begins to expand. Seed maturity is indeterminant and daily collections are needed to maximize volume. Seed is stored in paper bags or envelopes at room temperature until cleaned. Seed is naturally wind dispersed, so timing collecting to seed ripening is critical. Fruits are mature when the head opens. Plants typically occur at low densities requiring hand collection. Stripping the seed, by placing the base of the head between fingers and closing the hand while pulling, reduces loss. Minimizing the amount of inert material included in the collection eases cleaning. Seed is stored in breathable bags under cool dry conditions.
Source: npn.rngr.net