Buttecandle
Oreocarya celosioides
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
GBIF: Ripma, Lee; R. B. Kelley
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Boraginaceae
- Genus:
- Oreocarya
- Species:
- Oreocarya celosioides
- USDA Symbol:
- CRCE
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Biennial | Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 40 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- white
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
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:
- native to arid and semi-arid regions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds benefit from cold stratification for 30-60 days to break dormancy.
Pre-treatment: 5 month outdoor cold, moist stratification.
Establishment: Seeds are collected in late August. Hand collect mature seed capsules when they begin to split and turn tan in color. Seed is black at maturity. Seeds are kept in a well ventilated drying shed prior to cleaning. Cryptantha celosioides is a biennial to short lived perennial that occurs in dry areas of southern B.C. to central Oregon and east to Montana and the Great Plains.
Source: npn.rngr.net