Germination of seeds of bartsia odontites

Abstract

IN the first stages of an investigation into the growth requirements of certain members of the British Rhinantheæ, it was found that the seeds of Rhinanthus crista-galli and Bartsia odontites do not germinate when exposed to moisture at 15° C. or 20° C. for periods of up to one year. It was hence considered necessary to establish conditions which would permit germination to be brought about as required in the laboratory. The work of Heinricher1 showed that in pot culture the seeds of Bartsia and Rhinanthus spp. would germinate in the absence of the roots of suitable host plants, but that the majority of the seeds would not germinate for some months after being exposed to moisture. Heinricher also suggested that the germination of these seeds might be influenced by the degree and duration of the winter coldness. Accordingly experiments were set up which were designed to study the effect of low-temperature stratification on the germination of the seeds of Bartsia odontites and Rhinanthus cristagalli. The present communication concerns the effect of this treatment on Bartsia seed germination. © 1951 Nature Publishing Group.