Endostemon ctenoneurus

Why are the seeds of this species difficult? The seeds may have physiological dormancy, which can be overcome by mimicking the seasonal patterns of the species' native habitat.

Email your image to difficultseeds@kew.org

Seed Storage

This species most probably has Orthodox seeds - dry to 15-20% eRH and store at -20ºC, or as cool as possible.

Germination Requirements

Germinate on agar, germination paper or sand at 25ºC. It may be necessary to add 250 mg/l gibberellic acid to the germination medium to encourage germination.

The seeds of this species may be Physiologically Dormant (based on other members of the same family). If germination is low, this type of seed dormancy can be overcome by mimicking the seasonal patterns of the species' native habitat. Use a moist pre-chill or pre-heat treatment (depending on local climatic conditions) or a dry after-ripening treatment, before germinating the seeds on agar, germination paper or sand at their optimum temperature. If this does not work, you can perform delicate surgery to enable the embryo to grow. Excise the tissue near the root tip.

Seed Morphology

Taxonomy

Family: LAMIACEAE

Accepted name: Endostemon ctenoneurus Harley

Synonyms: none

Common name:

References and Links

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (1994). Genebank Standards. FAO/IPGRI, Rome, Italy.

AFPD (African Flowering Plants Database) - Conservatoire et Jardin Botaniques de la Ville de Genève, Switzerland, and South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria, RSA: Endostemon ctenoneurus.
SID (Seed Information Database) - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK: Endostemon ctenoneurus.
Tropicos - Missouri Botanical Garden, USA: Endostemon ctenoneurus.