Sticky Polemonium
Polemonium viscosum
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
J Brew (www.flickr.com)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Polemoniaceae
- Genus:
- Polemonium
- Species:
- Polemonium viscosum
- USDA Symbol:
- POVI
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 40 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- blue, purple, violet
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rocky, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to alpine and subalpine meadows
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–42 days
- Notes:
- Cold stratification improves germination. Seeds may germinate erratically over several weeks.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: 5 month outdoor cold, moist stratification
Establishment: This species produces a long and extensive taproot shortly after germination. Collect mature capsules in late August when they begin to split and turn tan in color. Seeds are black at maturity. Seeds are collected in paper bags and kept in a well ventilated drying shed prior to cleaning. P. viscosum is an alpine species that occurs from southwest Alberta to northern New Mexico, the Wallowa mountains of northeast Oregon, Okanogan Co., Washington, and the mountains of central Nevada. It is also found from British Columbia south to Montana at high elevations.
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months.