ISHS Acta Horticulturae 766: XXVII International Horticultural Congress - IHC2006: International Symposium on Ornamentals, Now!
VARIANTS IN HYMENOCALLIS SALISB. |
| Authors: | M.W. Borys, H. Leszczyńska-Borys, J.L. Galván |
| Keywords: | flowers, scapes, foliage design, aesthetics, dormancy |
| Abstract:
Two large groups of Hymenocallis of horticultural interest were distinguished: a xeric group with deciduous leaves, with bulbs of long-lasting deep dormancy, and a mesohydrophyte group with continuous bulb growth and perennial foliage. The leaves of each species and types differ in their form (filiform, broad linear, linear-lanceolate, lanceolate-oblong), in their dimensions from 18 to 100 cm in length and from 0.8 to 12 cm width, in their color ranging from deep-green- and glossy to gray-matte, and in the shapes of the tips and leaf bases. The foliage ranges from dwarf to very large. Species varied in the time of initiation of flowering as well as in the number of flowers per stem, and in the stem size at flowering and at seed harvest time. The flowers present a variation in the form and size of the crown, the length of the crown, the intensity and quality of perfume. While most types presented stem-bending, some can support a straight flowering stem. Stem-bending accentuated when the last 2-3 flowers opened. Seeds of the xeric group vary in the frequency of number of survival bulbils generated per seed and in the length of deep dormancy in survival bulbs. The seeds of both the xeric and the mesohydrophyte groups do not have deep dormancy. Bulbs varied in their capacity to generate bulbils by forced cloning. The genus looks very promising for its potential to generate a range of types of horticultural interest – for pot, cut flower and open planting. | |
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