Mt. Lemmon Seed Mix FAQ sheet
Weeds
The Santa Catalinas
Upper Mt. Lemmon Plant List
Seed Mix
Follow UP
Frequently Asked Questions
This
project is
being
undertaken with a Grant funded by the
Trees
for
Weed – a plant out of place,or unwanted
Most invasive species can be classified as “colonizers” – or those species that will be the first to move into areas that have experienced a disturbance of some kind.
Some
colonizer
species are naturally occurring (such as
Plant species that fall into this problem group are generally described as “invasive” because they have the potential to impact the new environment in bad ways.
Examples
of
plants that might become invasive on
The
Also, this area experienced a landscape level disturbance (in the form of a wildfire, although it could be a result of many things), which makes it more susceptible to colonizer invasive species.
If native plants are given a chance, they may be able to fight off the non-native colonizers (invasives), which will preserve the plant diversity on the mountain.
A lot of research went into this project to ensure that seeds selected for the mix were previously documented (known to exist) species of the Catalinas. It is important to note that every species included in the mix is native to this mountain range, and previously documented here.
Once a list of appropriate species was developed, we looked at what seeds were available (because of the drought, many seeds are in short supply).
We then developed a mix of seeds that should provide germination in any area of the mountain (South-facing, North-facing, dry, wet, shady, full sun, etc.).
Because of this feature, you may not have every species germinate and become established at your site, but you will have something germinate and establish.
The mix is comprised of grasses, legumes, and wildflowers.
- Grasses are provided because they typically form root mats near the soil surface, which will help prevent soil erosion.
- Legumes are provided because they work with soil bacteria to “fix” nitrogen in the soil (naturally – preventing the need for additional fertilizers) that promotes the establishment and growth of other plants.
- Wildflowers
are
included in the
mix because 1) they are pretty, and 2) for ecosystem health. They will attract all the
other
“critters”
that we enjoy seeing (butterflies, bees, birds, deer, etc.)
The Brochures that were provided with the seed packets have photos of each of the species in the seed mix. The list of plants with pictures is also available HERE
Remember, not all plants will germinate and establish on your site (depending on aspect, slope, shade, etc.)
You will likely have multiple species germinate and grow, though!
Many of these species are perennial and will continue to come back each spring/summer; if they are able to set seed, they will perpetuate themselves.
Once
these
seeds are planted at
your property, we do not anticipate needing to retreat the
areas.
This grant is intended for treating private property, and it will be important for us to determine the success of our project. Therefore, we will be conducting visual surveys of the treated common areas over the next year.
If you would like to help with this effort, please keep a notebook on where, when, and how you seeded and when and how many of the seeds germinated. send your information or contact us at anytime at info@treesformountlemmon.net THANK YOU!
Last Updated 9/26/2008