Figure 22. Harvesting seed. 



of seed will sprout by the following I4arch or April. These sprouted seeds are 

 still usable for planting but are much more susceptible to damage from han- 

 dling than unsprouted seeds. Freezing, either wet or dry, is not a satisfac- 

 tory method of storage (Woodhouse, Seneca, and Broome, 1974). Viability of 

 stored seed is not retained longer than 1 year. Consequently, seed to be 

 planted the following year must be harvested in September of the previous year 

 in northern latitudes and in November in southern latitudes. 



Seed production is confined largely to new, open stands and along margins, 

 e.g., along tidal creeks. The most vigorous stands usually produce the best 

 seeds but variability is high. Planted areas usually yield heavy seed crops 

 for several years following establishment. Seed heads are frequently damaged 

 by parasitic infestation (ergot, Claviaepe purpurea) and by flower beetles 

 (family Mordellidae) (N. Newton, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, 

 personal communication, 1976). 



Flowering time and seed maturity progress from north to south, at least 

 within geographic populations such as along the Virginia-Carolinas coast. For 

 example, there is a spread of about 2 weeks, north to south, in seed maturity 

 along the North Carolina coast with considerable variability within individual 

 stands. Seeds are ready for harvest as early as September in the north 

 Atlantic marshes and as late as November in the south Atlantic marshes but 

 maturity varies from year to year. 



Seeds may be broadcast over the surface of sandfilled, 5- to 10- 

 centimeter-wide plastic or peat-moss pots and covered lightly, or they may be 

 germinated in flats and transferred to the pots. Seeds should be removed from 

 storage and soaked in 25 percent Clorox for 15 minutes, rinsed, and planted in 



52 



