Idaho Plant Materials Technical Note No. 24

Geranium, Sticky
Geranium viscosissimum
A native perennial forb that grows 12-36 inches in height. It has sticky glandular hairs that densely cover the stems and
leaves. The 5 petal purple to pinkish white flowers occur in clusters near the top of the plant. It flowers from May-June.
It requires 16 inches or more annual precipitation and prefers medium textured soils. Average seeds/ft 2 at 1 lb. rate is
1.3. Pure stand seeding rate is 20 lb/ac. Not recommended in pure stands.
Globemallow - Gooseberryleaf, Munro’s and Scarlet
Sphaeralcea grossulariifolia, S. munroana and S. coccinea
Gooseberryleaf, Munro’s and Scarlet globemallow are drought tolerant perennial native forbs that occur throughout
juniper, sagebrush-rabbitbrush, shadscale, salt desert shrub and blackbrush plant communities. Greatest area of
occurrence is between 6 and 14 inches annual precipitation. These species have been successfully seeded on disturbed
sites with basic soils. Dormant fall seeding is recommended. A hard waxy seed coat often prevents germination. Seed
should not be planted deeper than 1/4 inch. Livestock and big game make fair to good use of these species. They
green up early in the spring and following summer and fall storms. They are one of few forbs that can be seeded on
disturbed, exposed, eroded sites in harsh environments. They are good pollinator species and bloom in mid April-June.
Seed should not be planted deeper than 1/4 inch. Average seeds/ft 2 at 1 lb. rate is 17. Pure stand seeding rate is 2 lb/ac.
Not recommended in pure stands.
Goldenrod, Canada and Missouri Solidago canadensis and S. missouriensis
Goldenrod species are rapid developing, upright, rhizomatous, native forbs that grow from 0.5- 3 feet tall. They are
considered fair to good wildlife forage and good pollinator species. Their yellow flowers attract bees and butterflies in
the fall from August-October. Average seeds/ft 2 at 1 lb. rate is 45-100. Pure stand seeding rate is 1 lb/ac. They are
recommended as components in pollinator seed mixtures. They are normally less than 10% of the seed mixture.
Hawksbeard, Tapertip and Slender Crepis acuminate and C. atribarba
Hawksbeard species including tapertip and slender are native forbs with a slow growth rate, upright habits that grow
from 0.5-2.0 feet tall. They are considered excellent wildlife forage and good pollinator species with yellow flowers.
They attract bees and butterflies in May-June. Average seeds/ft 2 at 1 lb. rate is 18. Pure stand seeding rate is 3 lb/ac.
They are recommended as components in rangeland and pollinator seed mixtures. They are normally less than 10% of
the seed mixture.
Milkvetch, Basalt
Astragalus filipes
Basalt milkvetch is an erect native legume with a moderate growth rate to 1-3 feet tall. Unlike some milkvetch species,
basalt milkvetch is not toxic to livestock. It is considered excellent wildlife forage and a good pollinator species with
white to cream colored flowers. It attracts bees and butterflies in May-July. Average seeds/ft 2 at 1 lb. rate is 2.7. Pure
stand seeding rate is 8 lb/ac. It is recommended as component in rangeland and pollinator seed mixtures. It is normally
less than 10% of the seed mixture.
Milkvetch, Canada
Astragalus canadensis
Canada milkvetch is a prostate to upright native legume with a moderate growth rate that grows from 1-2.5 feet tall. It
is an excellent pollinator species with cream flowers that are particularly attractive to bees and butterflies in June-July.
It is also known to be a host for some white and sulphur butterfly larvae. Average seeds/ft 2 at 1 lb. rate is 6. Pure stand
seeding rate is 4 lb/ac. It is recommended as component in pollinator seed mixtures. It is normally less than 10% of the
seed mixture.
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