Abstract of a manuscript in review based on work funded in part by the Australian Flora Foundation.

Germination requirements for Australian species of Frankenia L (Frankeniaceae).
Lyndlee C. Easton, Sonia Kleindorfer
School of Biological Sciences, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100,
Adelaide, South Australia, Australia, 5001.
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Understanding optimum germination requirements for Frankenia L. will inform arid zone ecology as well as Frankenia revegetation studies. Here, we examine germination rates and germination success for 20 Australian species of Frankenia at three temperatures (17°C, 23°C, and 29°C), the light requirements for germination, and seedling emergence success from soil. The results were as follows: (1) Overall, in most species germination rates were highest at 17°C and decreased as temperature increased. (2) Germination success (T50 – time to 50% germination) varied between species with temperature. At 17°C, all species reached T50 within 28 days. At 23°C, T50 varied significantly between species, ranging from T50 by Day 2 (F. serpyllifolia, F. setosa) to none by Day 28 (F. confusa, F. pauciflora var. pauciflora). At 29°C, eight species did not reach T50 by Day 28. (3) There was a positive association between seed exposure to light and germination, with smaller-seeded species requiring light to germinate. (4) Seedling emergence from soil was low and only three of the 19 species reached T50 by Week 8. These results are discussed in the context of identifying Frankenia species for remediation and revegetation projects, and for suitability as garden species.