biostudies-literatureUnknown11(2)Gijsman FNorthwestern UniversityAmong coastal plant species at risk from rapid environmental changes is the North American Great Lakes dune endemic <i>Cirsium pitcheri</i>. Despite being listed as federally threatened, little is known about how <i>C. pitcheri</i> seed attributes influence germination and dormancy-break patterns in the context of climate change. Following a previous work where we found differences in the number and weight of <i>C. pitcheri</i> seeds among capitulum positions and study sites, here we examine the effects of seed attributes (capitulum position, seed weight, and site of origin) on the proportion and timing of <i>C. pitcheri</i> seed germination under temperature treatments that simulate projected warming in the Great Lakes (20/10, 25/10, and 30/10°C day/night). Our results demonstrate that <iEcology and evolution955-966https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC7820163biostudies-literatureSeed size and capitulum position drive germination and dormancy responses to projected warming for the threatened dune endemic <i>Cirsium pitcheri</i> (Asteraceae).PMC7820163Gijsman FVitt PfalseSeed size and capitulum position drive germination and dormancy responses to projected warming for the threatened dune endemic <i>Cirsium pitcheri</i> (Asteraceae).Among coastal plant species at risk from rapid environmental changes is the North American Great Lakes dune endemic <i>Cirsium pitcheri</i>. Despite being listed as federally threatened, little is known about how <i>C. pitcheri</i> seed attributes influence germination and dormancy-break patterns in the context of climate change. Following a previous work where we found differences in the number and weight of <i>C. pitcheri</i> seeds among capitulum positions and study sites, here we examine the effects of seed attributes (capitulum position, seed weight, and site of origin) on the proportion and timing of <i>C. pitcheri</i> seed germination under temperature treatments that simulate projected warming in the Great Lakes (20/10, 25/10, and 30/10°C day/night). Our results demonstrate that <i2021-01-01T00:00:00Z2021 Jan2026-07-16T03:33:15.471Z2025-05-31T22:44:37.863ZS-EPMC78201633352017810.1002/ece3.7109