Growing Syneilesis from seeds is a straightforward process if the fruits are OK.
The problem of empty fruits it is most likely due to repeated clonal propagation. Syneilesis it is mostly propagated by division which is a much faster method of propagation; however, we end up with large populations having the same genotype.
Syneilesis has bisexual tubular florets (featured image), fertile (according with Flora of China) but like most Compositae it needs cross pollination in order to set seeds. So, in order to obtain a good seed set it is necessary to have in the garden a few plants that were grown from seeds.

For now we will have to contend with the few seeds packets I manage to select from the fruits kindly provided by my friends.
It is really not worth the time selecting those few packets, but I like to do it when I can because not all people have access to buy plants. Their only chance of having this species (and others) in their garden is to grow it from seeds.

Syneilesis is a warm germinator (room temperature) and it can be started indoors under lights or outdoors as soon as the frost danger is gone; the ‘seeds’ germinate in about 10-15 days.

Syneilesis aconitifolia seedlings; they have only one cotyledon and may remain at this stage during their first season.

 

They seem like not growing much in this phase but in fact they grow up good size roots – for this reason it is best not to use very small/short pots for sowing.

After transplanting the seedlings usually go dormant for a while and sometimes put up a true leaf in late summer/fall. Some remain dormant and will grow the true leaves only in the next season.
It is possible that some seedlings will form true leaves right away just like Podophyllums do. This behaviour can be seen in other rhizome forming species as well.
The temperatures and water regime may also have a role in the growth pattern.

Syneilesis aconitifolia seedling showing the first true leaf

I will end with a few pictures from one of the donors’ wonderful garden. The pictures were also kindly donated, so please respect the copyright.

Syneilesis is by definition a foliage plant and you can observe how well it looks in this rich, textural composition with other shade/part shade species.

Syneilesis aconitifolia – late spring; when emerging the leaves are hairy

Syneilesis aconitifolia – summer

Syneilesis aconitifolia – late fall

I knew this it will happen sooner or later and I knew it will be a damn comp – running short on seeds for an order.
Luckily there are many other species that I can make up with for the missing Aster alpinus seeds.

Aster alpinus – good (upper right corner) and bad ‘seeds’

The embarrassing moment put behind, let’s have a look at a few more Comps flowers.

Call them as you wish

Initially I wrote a short post for Growing Syneilesis from seeds for the germination page, and then I thought, wait a minute, it is not the only Compositae with fruits/seeds related problems.
So, I wrote a longer post on the subject and then thought, who’s going to read all this? Finally, I wrote another shorter post, and there will be more flower pictures later.

I think everyone knows that in Compositae (Asteraceae) what seems to be a single flower is actually a cluster – a composite of smaller flowers (florets), usually called a head which contains disk and/or ray flowers; both types can be bisexual or unisexual.
And, many species require cross-pollination in order to set seeds; the pollen has a special presentation mechanism which prevents self-pollination (I will talk more about this for Syneilesis).

Probably many are also aware that what we call ‘seeds’ in Asteraceae are actually fruits. In simple botanical terms they are single-seeded nuts. Scientifically, they have been called achenes by some and cypselae by others (see note).

So, we don’t see, collect and sow the actual seeds, but the whole fruits.
It is often a deceptive situation because copious amount of fruits are formed but most of them are seedless (cypsela is a very good name to illustrate that) – like it often happens in the case of Syneilesis aconitifolia. Another example, from my garden this time, is Achillea ageratifolia ssp. serbica.

Syneilesis aconitifolia – lots of empty fruits

Achillea ageratifolia ssp. serbica, flowering very well last summer, alas just lots of empty cypsalae were formed

Conclusion:

If we call them fruits or seeds is not that important; I myself call them ‘seeds’. The important thing is to understand the distinction and be able to assess the situation when it comes to sowing, namely if you are really sowing ‘seeds’ or just ‘fluff’ (e.g., empty fruits).

This is why it is always a good idea to carefully check the fruits for many species of this family; take a note on Aster spp. and Solidago, Anaphalis, but not only.
Often is easy to select the good ones (which are plump) when observed with the naked eye; sometimes with the use of a magnifier – and a lot of time…The smaller they are, the harder is to distinguish the good ones.
For large quantities of fruits the cut method can be used by selecting samples.

Anthemis carpatica ssp. pyrethriformis – selected good and empty cypselae using a magnifiyng glass

Sowing seedless fruits, no matter what we call them, and no matter the plant family, will never result in germination.
Read about
Linnaea borealis and Acer triflorum.

Note: Fruits of composites have been called “achenes” because they resemble true achenes. Achenes are dry, hard, single-seeded fruits derived from unicarpellate, superior ovaries. Ovaries of composites are bicarpellate and inferior. Fruits derived from ovaries of composites are called cypselae “ – Flora of North America

cypsela – from the Greek kypselé, a box, hollow vessel


 

 

Well, not quite seedless – here’s one image. I didn’t have time to finish what I wanted to do for the Compositae family and, taking into consideration the weather here, maybe it is for the best. We can really use some colours at this time!

Centaurea salonitana seeds

So, just a gallery with mostly Centaurea and few others thistle-like species :)
The names are displayed on mouse hover, or click and browse through the gallery

 

 

 

I only have a small collection of genera/species from the  Boraginaceae family. I must work better at this family, that’s for sure.
Here they are for now: Onosma, Omphalodes, Pulmonaria and something a bit more rare, Craniospermum.
And because species placed formerly in Hydrophyllaceae are now included in Boraginaceae, there is also Hydrophyllum.

For names, hover over images or click to open the gallery

Only one species/genus is shown, a couple more species are displayed in the new Boraginaceae page.