Seed Dormancy in the Alpine Rush, Luzula Spicata L
1965
A study of Luzula spicata seeds from the alpine tundra of the Colorado Front Range revealed complete dormancy due to a condition of the seed coat or endosperm. Dormancy appears to be related to the presence of a hard waxy layer (gelatinous sheath when imbibed) covering the entire seed surface. The only seed treatment effective in breaking dormancy in this species is scarification on the micropylar end of the seed. Some type of mechanical action on the seed coat apparently is necessary to elicit germination, presumably accomplished naturally by the abrasive action of soil particles (rather than by biotic action) but probably not until such time as the protective waxy or gelatinous buffer has been weathered away. Seeds from different alpine locations and collected in different years did not vary in the extent or degree of dormancy exhibited, nor did they vary significantly in their response to scarification and other treatments.
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