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Abstract
Rock outcrops occur in the piedmont of the southeastern United States and support a unique flora. Seeds of six outcrop species were subjected to temperature fluctuations in order to break dormancy and induce germination. Fresh seeds were exposed to warm oo(35/20C), cold (8C) or warm plus cold stratification periods of varying lengths. Seeds owere then moved to temperatures representing those of spring and/or fall (18/10C) and germination observed. Warm plus cold stratification was the most effective for inducing germination in the species whose seeds ripened during the summer or late summer and early fall months. Cold germination was necessary for germination in the species whose seeds ripened during the fall months. A piedmont rock outcrop habitat garden offers schools the opportunity to showcase the beauty and diversity of outcrop vegetation and to communicate the importance of protecting this ecosystem as a home for these unique plants.