Gomphocarpus stenophyllus

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.

Gomphocarpus stenophyllus (Image: S. Wood, RBG Kew)

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 30ºC.

The seeds of this species may be Physiologically Dormant (based on 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

Gomphocarpus stenophyllus section
(Image: S. Wood, RBG Kew)

Taxonomy

Family: ASCLEPIADACEAE

Accepted name: Gomphocarpus stenophyllus Oliv.

Synonyms: Asclepias leucocarpa Schltr.

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: Gomphocarpus stenophyllus.
PROTAbase (Plant Resources of Tropical Africa) - Wageningen, Netherlands: Gomphocarpus stenophyllus.
SID (Seed Information Database) - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK: Gomphocarpus stenophyllus.
Tropicos - Missouri Botanical Garden, USA: Gomphocarpus stenophyllus.