Krascheninnikovia lanata (Winterfat)

Formerly Ceratoides lanata. Long-lived spreading evergreen subshrub up to 2 ft. tall with silvery white foliage and inconspicuous petal-less flowers, blooming April to August. Adapted to a wide range of soil textures, tolerating moderate to highly saline conditions; intolerant of acidic soils, flooding and prolonged wet conditions. Often forms pure stands within arid salt desert shrub, pinyon-juniper, sagebrush and at the edges of some woodland communities; 1,000 to 9,000 ft. elevation. Some tolerance to wildfire, able to sprout after low-severity burns. Germinates easily. Excellent pioneer in mine reclamation and revegetation after disturbance. Extremely palatable to all classes of livestock and wildlife. Important forage for Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep. Also browsed by deer, elk, pronghorn and numerous small mammals; a core food for black-tailed jackrabbits.

DISTRIBUTION / ADAPTATION

Krascheninnikovia lanata (Winterfat) map.png

INFORMATION & ATTRIBUTES

Family: Chenopodiaceae

Duration: Perennial

Growth Habit: Shrub/subshrub

Native Status: Native

Growth Form: Multiple stem

Mature Height: 2 ft.

Bloom Color: Yellow

Fruit/Seed Color: White

Bloom Period: Spring

Annual Precipitation: 6-20 in.

Drought Tolerance: High

Shade Tolerance: Intolerant

Elevation:

Wetland Indicator Status

Fire Resistance: No

Fire Tolerance: Medium

Nitrogen Fixation:

SOIL ADAPTATION

Coarse Texture: Medium

Medium Texture: Medium

Fine Texture: Medium

Salinity Tolerance: High

CaCO3 Tolerance: High

pH Range: 6.6-8.5


SEEDING NOTES

Seeds per Pound: 110,700

Seeding Rate:  PLS lbs/acre

Season: Fall

Days to Germination:


VARIETIES & LOCAL ACCESSIONS

None