Germination and Horticulture of Understudied Native Species in the Flagstaff Area

Of the hundreds of native species found in Northern Arizona, only a small percentage have been well researched and used in restoration efforts. Despite the plethora of documentation and literature based on a small subset of well-studied species, the majority of native plants in our area have seen either minimal investigation into germination techniques, nursery rearing and/or field restoration suitability and success. We aim to study lesser-known plants by obtaining seeds, establishing germination protocols and cultivating the species, with the end goal of introducing mature plants into an established pollinator habitat on campus and monitoring their success over time.

 

Plant species: Over 100 different native grasses, forbs, shrubs, succulents, and tree species

Funding source: NAU Research Greenhouse

Collaborators: NAU Research Greenhouse, NAU SNAIL Garden, Museum of Northern AZ

Participants:
Adair Patterson, NAU Greenhouse Manager
Nicholas Quayle, NAU Greenhouse Assistant Manager
Jacqueline Miller, NAU Greenhouse Student Assistant
Joseph Chirwa, NAU Greenhouse Student Assistant
Radhika Jones, NAU Greenhouse Student Assistant
Laura Davis, Michael Moore Native Medicinal Plant Garden Master Gardener Coordinator