ballhead sandwort
Eremogone congesta
Also known as: Wheeler's sandwort, ballhead sandwort, gland sandwort, loosehead sandwort, rock-loving sandwort, sharptip sandwort, suffrutescent sandwort
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
iNaturalist: © eric_lamb (iNaturalist #147432168)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Caryophyllaceae
- Genus:
- Eremogone
- Species:
- Eremogone congesta
- USDA Symbol:
- ARCO5
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Subshrub
- Height:
- 15 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- white
- Ground Cover:
- Yes
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- small pollinators
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from root crown following fire; common in fire-prone sagebrush and montane habitats.
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:
- Commonly found in rocky or gravelly areas.
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–42 days
- Notes:
- Seeds benefit from cold stratification; may have irregular germination.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Extended cold, moist stratification increases germination. Seed sown in containers in November and left outdoors under cool, fluctuating spring temperatures began emerging in mid-March.
Establishment: Seedlings which germinated in the greenhouse thrived in the constant warmth, so it is likely the longer stratification time and not the cool, fluctuating temperature was the factor in the increased germination. Seed is collected when the capsules begin to split in late July or early August and is stored in paper bags or envelopes at room temperature until cleaned.
Source: npn.rngr.net