Moisture supply is more stable and more nutrients are available on a mineral soil seedbed. Once established, forms large colonies via rhizomes and produces large amounts of seed. Vegetative reproduction more prevalent than sexual reproduction. Sprouts from rhizomes following disturbance. Fragmentation of rhizomes stimulates shoot production.
Rhizome length depends on soil fertility and amount of competing vegetation present.
Principally pollinated by insects. A prolific seed producer, one plant may produce about 80,000 seeds per year. One of the most abundant colonizers on Mount St. Helens. Seeds are nondormant and germinate over a variety of temperatures. Most newly collected seeds germinate within 10 days.