DOCSLIB.ORG

PJS Special Issue Cuevas and Briones.Indd

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
PJS Special Issue Cuevas and Briones.Indd Philippine Journal of Science 142: 69-82, Special Issue ISSN 0031 - 7683 Date Received: ?? ???????? 2013 Role of Light in the Life Stages of Mt. Makiling Populations of Alocasia zebrina, An Endangered Philippine Plant Species1 Niko Niño G. Briones and Virginia C. Cuevas Institute of Biological Sciences (IBS), College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), College, Laguna, the Philippines Populations of Alocasia zebrina growing in a secondary forest on Mt. Makiling were studied to determine the influences of sunlight on its life stage development. The study site was dominated by Swietenia macrophylla in association with some members of Palm family. Large canopy gaps were present that allowed ground penetration of high light intensity. The life stages of Alocasia zebrina were identified to be, namely seed, juvenile, adult vegetative and adult sexually mature, based mainly on the number of mature leaves and reproductive capability. Statistical analyses showed a positive correlation between the number of mature leaves and the increase of total monthly minutes of sunshine. Furthermore, the field data analysis suggested that light plays a major role in determining not only where A. zebrina population will be established, but also the rate at which an individual can complete an entire life cycle. Key Words: Alocasia zebrina, life stages, light intensity, Araceae, vegetation, endangered Philippine plant species INTRODUCTION petiole attached to the end of the midrib and extends up to 1.1 m has varying shades of distinct green and brown Except for A. macrorrhizos (L.) G. Don, all indigenous oblique streaks. The colours and design of the petiole with species in the genus Alocasia are endemic in the stripe has earned its local name as ‘gabing tigre’. The Philippines (Medecillo et al. 2007). Alocasia zebrina inflorescence that may occur in pairs is a spadix and has Schott ex van Houtte of the Family Araceae is a herb with a peduncle nearly 25 cm long. The white spathe more or leaves that grow together in a sympodial manner and found less 16 cm long, covers the young inflorescence and opens in rainforests at low to medium elevations of Quezon, up when the flowers mature. The flowers are subsessile Bicol, Leyte, Samar, and Mindanao. Hay (1999) has the and occur in clusters or zones. The male zone occurs on following description of Alocasia zebrina - top of the inflorescence, about 3-4.5 cm long and cylindric The glossy green leaf blade of about 80 cm long has its in orientation. The female zone is at the bottom of the base bisected into narrow triangular lobes with the anterior spadix, globose in appearance and 4 -5.5 cm long. During end also triangular to ovate in shape. Four to 10 primary the fruiting stage this female zone appears globose up to lateral veins that arise in almost perpendicular manner 4.5 cm in diameter. There is a sterile zone in between and from the midrib run roughly straight to the margin. The male and female clusters which can be up to 1 cm long. Corresponding Author: [email protected] 1Portion of the undergraduate thesis of the senior author under the degree program of UPLB BS Biology (Ecology), 2010 69 Philippine Journal of Science Briones & Cuevas: Role of light in the life stages Vol. 142: Special Issue of Alocasia zebrina Apparently, the striped petiole that is characteristic of of dispersion for both populations at these two elevations the species, together with its white spathed-inflorescence exhibited a clumped distribution pattern. It was noted and beautifully shaped, dark green glossy leaves, that elevation together with the reported difference in make it a favourite among ornamental growers and relative humidity and soil pH does not have any significant landscape architects. The species is included in influence on its local distribution. Madulid’s (1995) publication of Philippine Ornamental Plants with notes on its high rate of disappearance The present study was conducted to characterize the different because of massive collection for its ornamental life stages of A. zebrina and to monitor the influence of and economic importance as a foliage plant. This light on the transition from vegetative stage to reproductive phenomenon together with its habitat destruction leads to stage of the life cycle of the plant. The identified life stages, its classification of a conservation status as a vulnerable together with the factor(s) that show influence on the to endangered species (Tan et al. 1986; Amoroso et al. transition in the life cycle can give an overview of the life- 2009). Fernando et al. (2008) classified the species history strategies of the plant population of this species. This as vulnerable as defined by the following criteria: (1) information can further serve as an initial reference for other population reduction in the form of a decline in area of detailed studies on its population dynamics. The results from occupancy, extent of occurrence and/or quality of habitat; this study can also help in planning for effective conservation (2) extent of occurrence estimated to be less than 20,000 measures for the species. km2 or area of occupancy is estimated to be less than 2,000 km2 with a continuing decline. Ramirez (1997) in his study of the plant’s distribution MATERIALS AND METHODS pattern at two altitudinal sites in the north eastern slope of Makiling Forest Reserve (MFR) concluded that the Study Site populations of the species occurred only between 250 m The study was conducted in a secondary forest at the and 700 m above sea level (asl) with most populations northeast slope of Mt. Makiling with the summit located occurring at 700 m and 300 m asl. The computed index at 121°11’ E by 14°08’ N (Figure 1). The study site is one Figure 1. a). Map of the Philippines showing location of Makiling Forest Reserve (MFR); b). Northeastern trail with the study site highlighted in green at 300 m. asl. 70 Philippine Journal of Science Briones & Cuevas: Role of light in the life stages Vol. 142: Special Issue of Alocasia zebrina of the six Permanent Field Laboratory Areas (PFLA 3) of modules of one individual, based on the definitions given the College of Forestry and Natural Resources (CFNR), by Begon et al. (2006) of modular populations. A total University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) and an of 21 subpopulations were monitored. Morphometric established Mahogany plantation since 1940 within the parameters which include number of leaves, plant height, Makiling Forest Reserve (MFR) located east of Barangay and leaf area (measured using LI-3100C Area Meter) were Galugod Baboy. It is one of the two sites identified by recorded for vegetative individuals and individuals with Ramirez (1997) in his study on population distribution flowers. Fruit and inflorescence counts, and spadix length pattern of the species on the north eastern slope of MFR. were also gathered in sexually reproducing individuals. The subpopulations were monitored and the changes in morphometric measurements were noted in situ for Vegetation associated with A. zebrina 9 months, from July 2009 to April 2010. Pictures of Two methods of analysis were used to characterize the the different subpopulations were taken to illustrate the vegetation associated with A. zebrina. Point Center Quarter different life stages. Method (PCQM) was used to characterize palms and trees, while Line Intercept Method (LIM) was used for the herbaceous species (Mueller-Dombois & Ellenberg 1974). Meteorological data PCQM involved measurements of basal area, distances Monthly measurements of minutes of sunshine for the between plants and diameter at breast height (dbh) of same months of the study (July 2009 to April 2010) were plants with dbh > 1cm within a 30 meter transect line. The obtained from the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical understory vegetation was surveyed and described using Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) two replicates of 5 meter transect lines. Importance value National Agro-Meteorological Station at UPLB located (I.V.) of species for PCQM is computed using the formula: at coordinates 14°11’ N, 121°15’ E. The station is within the 25 km radius of the study site thus their data obtained relative frequency + relative dominance + relative density held true also for the site. Light intensity was measured I.V. = 3 intermittently from January to April 2010 study using light meter (Center 337 mini Light Meter, range 0~40,000 lx) Frequency referred to presence/absence of the species at in subpopulation to describe the light environment of the each sample point. Dominance indicated the total basal study site. area of all individuals of the species in the sample points of the 30-m transect line. Density denoted the total number Data analysis of the individuals of the species in all the sample points. Shapiro-Wilk Statistical Test for normality was first used Relative frequency was computed as the frequencies of the to determine whether the data on leaf area measured for species in all sample points divided by the total frequencies both vegetative and reproductive individuals followed of all species in the 30-m transect line. Likewise, relative a normal distribution. When the test showed that the dominance referred to total basal area of a species in all the measured values did not follow the normal distribution, sample points divided by the total basal areas of all species a non-parametric test (Mann-Whitney U test) was used encountered. Similarly, relative density was computed as to compare mean leaf area of vegetative and reproductive the total number of individuals of the species divided by the individuals. Additionally, a parametric test (t-test for 2 total number of trees encountered in all the sample points independent samples) was utilized to compare the means (Mueller-Dumbois & Ellenberg 1974).
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Bruxner Park Flora Reserve Working Plan
    Bruxner Park Flora Reserve Working Plan Working Plan for Bruxner Park Flora Reserve No 3 Upper North East Forest Agreement Region North East Region Contents Page 1. DETAILS OF THE RESERVE 2 1.1 Introduction 2 1.2 Location 2 1.3 Key Attributes of the Reserve 2 1.4 General Description 2 1.5 History 6 1.6 Current Usage 8 2. SYSTEM OF MANAGEMENT 9 2.1 Objectives of Management 9 2.2 Management Strategies 9 2.3 Management Responsibility 11 2.4 Monitoring, Reporting and Review 11 3. LIST OF APPENDICES 11 Appendix 1 Map 1 Locality Appendix 1 Map 2 Cadastral Boundaries, Forest Types and Streams Appendix 1 Map 3 Vegetation Growth Stages Appendix 1 Map 4 Existing Occupation Permits and Recreation Facilities Appendix 2 Flora Species known to occur in the Reserve Appendix 3 Fauna records within the Reserve Y:\Tourism and Partnerships\Recreation Areas\Orara East SF\Bruxner Flora Reserve\FlRWP_Bruxner.docx 1 Bruxner Park Flora Reserve Working Plan 1. Details of the Reserve 1.1 Introduction This plan has been prepared as a supplementary plan under the Nature Conservation Strategy of the Upper North East Ecologically Sustainable Forest Management (ESFM) Plan. It is prepared in accordance with the terms of section 25A (5) of the Forestry Act 1916 with the objective to provide for the future management of that part of Orara East State Forest No 536 set aside as Bruxner Park Flora Reserve No 3. The plan was approved by the Minister for Forests on 16.5.2011 and will be reviewed in 2021.
    [Show full text]
  • A Review of Alocasia (Araceae: Colocasieae) for Thailand Including a Novel Species and New Species Records from South-West Thailand
    THAI FOR. BULL. (BOT.) 36: 1–17. 2008. A review of Alocasia (Araceae: Colocasieae) for Thailand including a novel species and new species records from South-West Thailand PETER C. BOYCE* ABSTRACT. A review of Alocasia in Thailand is presented. One new species (A. hypoleuca) and three new records (A. acuminata, A. hypnosa & A. perakensis) are reported. A key to Alocasia in Thailand is presented and the new species is illustrated. INTRODUCTION Alocasia is a genus of in excess of 100 species of herbaceous, laticiferous, diminutive to gigantic, usually robust herbs. The genus has recently been revised for New Guinea (Hay, 1990), Australasia (Hay & Wise, 1991), West Malesia and Sulawesi (Hay, 1998), the Philippines (Hay, 1999) while post main-treatment novelties have been described for New Guinea (Hay, 1994) Borneo (Hay, Boyce & Wong, 1997; Hay, 2000; Boyce, 2007) & Sulawesi (Yuzammi & Hay, 1998). Currently the genus is least well understood in the trans-Himalaya (NE India to SW China) including the northern parts of Burma, Thailand, Lao PDR and Vietnam with only the flora of Bhutan (Noltie, 1994) partly covering this range. In the absence of extensive fieldwork the account presented here for Thailand can at best be regarded as provisional. STRUCTURE & TERMINOLOGY Alocasia plants are often complex in vegetative and floral structure and some notes on their morphology (based here substantially on Hay, 1998) are useful to aid identification. The stem of Alocasia, typically of most Araceae, is a physiognomically unbranched sympodium. The number of foliage leaves per module is variable between and within species and individuals, but during flowering episodes in some species it may be reduced to one.
    [Show full text]
  • WIAD CONSERVATION a Handbook of Traditional Knowledge and Biodiversity
    WIAD CONSERVATION A Handbook of Traditional Knowledge and Biodiversity WIAD CONSERVATION A Handbook of Traditional Knowledge and Biodiversity Table of Contents Acknowledgements ...................................................................................................................... 2 Ohu Map ...................................................................................................................................... 3 History of WIAD Conservation ...................................................................................................... 4 WIAD Legends .............................................................................................................................. 7 The Story of Julug and Tabalib ............................................................................................................... 7 Mou the Snake of A’at ........................................................................................................................... 8 The Place of Thunder ........................................................................................................................... 10 The Stone Mirror ................................................................................................................................. 11 The Weather Bird ................................................................................................................................ 12 The Story of Jelamanu Waterfall .........................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Monocotyledons and Gymnosperms of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands
    SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION Contributions from the United States National Herbarium Volume 52: 1-415 Monocotyledons and Gymnosperms of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands Editors Pedro Acevedo-Rodríguez and Mark T. Strong Department of Botany National Museum of Natural History Washington, DC 2005 ABSTRACT Acevedo-Rodríguez, Pedro and Mark T. Strong. Monocots and Gymnosperms of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Contributions from the United States National Herbarium, volume 52: 415 pages (including 65 figures). The present treatment constitutes an updated revision for the monocotyledon and gymnosperm flora (excluding Orchidaceae and Poaceae) for the biogeographical region of Puerto Rico (including all islets and islands) and the Virgin Islands. With this contribution, we fill the last major gap in the flora of this region, since the dicotyledons have been previously revised. This volume recognizes 33 families, 118 genera, and 349 species of Monocots (excluding the Orchidaceae and Poaceae) and three families, three genera, and six species of gymnosperms. The Poaceae with an estimated 89 genera and 265 species, will be published in a separate volume at a later date. When Ackerman’s (1995) treatment of orchids (65 genera and 145 species) and the Poaceae are added to our account of monocots, the new total rises to 35 families, 272 genera and 759 species. The differences in number from Britton’s and Wilson’s (1926) treatment is attributed to changes in families, generic and species concepts, recent introductions, naturalization of introduced species and cultivars, exclusion of cultivated plants, misdeterminations, and discoveries of new taxa or new distributional records during the last seven decades.
    [Show full text]
  • Alocasia Macrorrhiza / Similar Spp
    Alocasia macrorrhiza / Similar spp . Usually prostrate or semi-prostrate at ground level; can grow to a metre high, without support. Common name: . Native to Malaysia, SE Asia and N. Australia. Alocasia, Cunjevoi, Elephant ears, . The flower heads are a spike of pale yellow- Giant taro, green flowers along the upper part of a stout stalk - spadex - and surrounded by a cream- Palatability to Livestock: coloured, hood-shaped spathe, in summer. Not known to be eaten. Berries are red, yellow or orange when ripe. Found growing wild in Queensland and Toxicity to Other Species: northern NSW, in moist gullies. Toxic to all animals, stock, humans and pets. Stock are not attracted to this plant in the fresh state; it may have a sweet smell. Poisonous Principle: . Sap is very corrosive to mucous membranes. Cyanogenetic glucocides, . Sharp needles of oxalate are found in the plant. Oxalate crystals, . A cuprea, Giant caladium. Unknown toxins. Effects: Signs and symptoms; . Intense irritation to, and swelling of, the lips, tongue, mouth, and throat. Health and Production Problems; . Recovery in most cases. Can be stinging or corrosive to humans when handled. Juice from leaf or rhizome can cause intense conjunctivitis or temporary blindness. Alocasia. Treatment; Picture: Helen Simmonds, Calga, NSW. Unknown, rinse with water. See Doctor or Vet. Integrated Control Strategy: . Garden plant escapee, . All parts are potentially irritant. Use herbicides, or weed out into disposable bags. Do not feed this plant to any livestock. Comments: Cunjevoi. A large perennial garden plant, with a thick Picture: Helen Simmonds. Calga, NSW. rootstock and thick stems, with a height and spread of about 2.5 metres.
    [Show full text]
  • Ornamental Garden Plants of the Guianas, Part 3
    ; Fig. 170. Solandra longiflora (Solanaceae). 7. Solanum Linnaeus Annual or perennial, armed or unarmed herbs, shrubs, vines or trees. Leaves alternate, simple or compound, sessile or petiolate. Inflorescence an axillary, extra-axillary or terminal raceme, cyme, corymb or panicle. Flowers regular, or sometimes irregular; calyx (4-) 5 (-10)- toothed; corolla rotate, 5 (-6)-lobed. Stamens 5, exserted; anthers united over the style, dehiscing by 2 apical pores. Fruit a 2-celled berry; seeds numerous, reniform. Key to Species 1. Trees or shrubs; stems armed with spines; leaves simple or lobed, not pinnately compound; inflorescence a raceme 1. S. macranthum 1. Vines; stems unarmed; leaves pinnately compound; inflorescence a panicle 2. S. seaforthianum 1. Solanum macranthum Dunal, Solanorum Generumque Affinium Synopsis 43 (1816). AARDAPPELBOOM (Surinam); POTATO TREE. Shrub or tree to 9 m; stems and leaves spiny, pubescent. Leaves simple, toothed or up to 10-lobed, to 40 cm. Inflorescence a 7- to 12-flowered raceme. Corolla 5- or 6-lobed, bluish-purple, to 6.3 cm wide. Range: Brazil. Grown as an ornamental in Surinam (Ostendorf, 1962). 2. Solanum seaforthianum Andrews, Botanists Repository 8(104): t.504 (1808). POTATO CREEPER. Vine to 6 m, with petiole-tendrils; stems and leaves unarmed, glabrous. Leaves pinnately compound with 3-9 leaflets, to 20 cm. Inflorescence a many- flowered panicle. Corolla 5-lobed, blue, purple or pinkish, to 5 cm wide. Range:South America. Grown as an ornamental in Surinam (Ostendorf, 1962). Sterculiaceae Monoecious, dioecious or polygamous trees and shrubs. Leaves alternate, simple to palmately compound, petiolate. Inflorescence an axillary panicle, raceme, cyme or thyrse.
    [Show full text]
  • Diseases of Edible Aroids in India and Their Management
    Diseases of Edible Aroids in India and Aroids: Plants belonging to the family Araceae their Management Among cultivable tropical tuber crops, the following are commercially cultivated edible aroids in India: 1. Amorphophalus paeoniifolius 2. Colocasia (C.esculenta var.esculenta and C.esculenta R.S.Misra var.antiquorum): Dasheen and Eddoe types Central Tuber Crops Research Institute Trivandrum (India) 3. Xanthosoma (Tannia) 4. Alocasia Amorphophallus tubers Amorphophallus mosaic disease and crop 1 Amorphophallus Mosaic Disease Collar rot of Amorphophallus Primary spread is through planting material. Secondary spread of the disease is through insect vectors, Myzus persicae Sulz., Aphis gossypii Glover, A. craccivora Koch. and Pentalonia nigronervosa coq. Disease symptoms include mosaic mottling of leaves and distortion of leaf lamina. Corms produced by the mottled plants are much smaller than those without mottled leaves. Management: Use of virus free planting material, spraying of systemic insecticides to prevent secondary spread Leaf blight caused by Phytophthora colocasiae Storage diseases in Amorphophallus 2 Management of Amorphophallus Diseases Major taro types in India •Use of healthy planting material without any apparent rotting symptoms •Treatment of the whole/cut tubers with cow-dung slurry mixed with Trichoderma before planting •Application of Trichoderma enriched compost in pits/field •Application of neem-cake @ 250g/pit •One foliar spray with Mancozeb (0.2%) and fenithrion (0.05%) at 60 and 90 DAP Taro Cultivation Field view
    [Show full text]
  • Alocasia Brisbanensis Click on Images to Enlarge
    Species information Abo ut Reso urces Hom e A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Alocasia brisbanensis Click on images to enlarge Family Araceae Scientific Name Alocasia brisbanensis (F.M.Bailey) Domin Domin, K. (1928) Bibliotheca Botanica 89(4): 504. Common name Unfurled leaves and male section of inflorescence. Copyright CSIRO Cunjevoi; Spoon Lily Stem Although essentially a large herb this species can exceed 1 m in height and is therefore included as a shrub. Leaves Petiole longer than the leaf blade. Petiole winged or deeply grooved on the upper surface at least towards the base. Leaf blade about 45-60 x 30-35 cm. Elongated 'oil dots' visible particularly along the veinlets. 'Oil dots' are probably calcium oxalate crystals. Flowers Leaves and habit. Copyright CSIRO Inflorescence enclosed in a large bract (spathe). Flowers in a spike with male flowers on a section above the female flowers which are confined to the basal part. Uppermost part of the spike, about 40 mm long, sterile. A similar but smaller section separates the male and female sections. Female flowers globular. Stamens +/- sessile. Pollen white or translucent. Stigma 3-lobed. Fruit Fruits produced in a dense spike which is enclosed in a persistent green bract (spathe). Individual fruits 7-11 mm long with a pink or red pericarp which resembles an aril but is produced by the wall of the ovary. Seeds 1or 2 per fruit, about 6-7 mm long. Testa thin and papery.
    [Show full text]
  • Fall Newsletter, 2019
    Fall Newsletter, 2019 structure (spathe) behind or surrounding it. Other Over the years, as different cultivars have members of this family include calla lilies become readily available, tropical plants have (Zantedeschia spp.), Philodendron, Caladium, become more common place in our summer beds Diffenbachia and the peace lily (Spathiphyllum). and pots. While elephant ears can flower, they do not One of the most impressive examples of this commonly produce them and if in fact they do, most are the leafy tropical, elephant ears. Although of the time it is hidden by the foliage. The flower thought to be one plant, there are three genera, can sometimes be fragrant and is typical of this Colocasia, Alocasia, and Xanthosoma. that make up family with a white, yellow or light green spathe what we commonly refer to as elephant ears. Even surrounding the spadix. though they look similar, there are a few ways to tell Colocasia’s and Alocasia’s are native to them apart. Colocasia’s have a heart shaped leaf tropical portions of southern Asia, Indonesia, whose tip points downward, Alocasia’s point Malaysia, New Guinea, parts of Australia and the upward and Xanthosoma’s leaf have a sagittate or Pacific Islands. While Xanthosoma’s are native to arrowhead shape. (See picture) tropical areas of the America’s. These plants belong to the Araceae or Arum When planting the corm in our non-tropical family which is mostly made up of tropical plants area, the soil temperature needs to be above 50°F with a few exceptions such as Jack-in-the-pulpits and past all danger of frost.
    [Show full text]
  • History and Current Status of Systematic Research with Araceae
    HISTORY AND CURRENT STATUS OF SYSTEMATIC RESEARCH WITH ARACEAE Thomas B. Croat Missouri Botanical Garden P. O. Box 299 St. Louis, MO 63166 U.S.A. Note: This paper, originally published in Aroideana Vol. 21, pp. 26–145 in 1998, is periodically updated onto the IAS web page with current additions. Any mistakes, proposed changes, or new publications that deal with the systematics of Araceae should be brought to my attention. Mail to me at the address listed above, or e-mail me at [email protected]. Last revised November 2004 INTRODUCTION The history of systematic work with Araceae has been previously covered by Nicolson (1987b), and was the subject of a chapter in the Genera of Araceae by Mayo, Bogner & Boyce (1997) and in Curtis's Botanical Magazine new series (Mayo et al., 1995). In addition to covering many of the principal players in the field of aroid research, Nicolson's paper dealt with the evolution of family concepts and gave a comparison of the then current modern systems of classification. The papers by Mayo, Bogner and Boyce were more comprehensive in scope than that of Nicolson, but still did not cover in great detail many of the participants in Araceae research. In contrast, this paper will cover all systematic and floristic work that deals with Araceae, which is known to me. It will not, in general, deal with agronomic papers on Araceae such as the rich literature on taro and its cultivation, nor will it deal with smaller papers of a technical nature or those dealing with pollination biology.
    [Show full text]
  • Cocoyams (Xanthosoma Caracu, X. Atrovirens and X
    MORTON:COCOYAMS 85 veqelabb Section COCOYAMS (XANTHOSOMA CARACU, X. ATROVIRENS AND X. NIGRUM), ANCIENT ROOT- AND LEAF- VEGETABLES, GAINING IN ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE Julia F. Morton Cuba (32). Also, the term MALANGA is applied specifically to Colocasia esculenta in Puerto Rico Directory Morton Collectanea, and is defined as "taro" in Webster's International University of Miami Dictionary, with a cross-reference to YAUTIA, Coral Gables which is defined as applicable principally to any There are some 38 or 40 species of Xanthosoma species of Xanthosoma. (family Araceae), all indigenous to the American The existing confusion is a serious matter for Tropics (1, 12, 43). Some of them are considered the agriculturist seeking information, for there by ethnobotanists and archaeologists to be among are some major differences in the two crops: for the oldest root crops in the world (4, 45) and it example, the Xanthosoma species require good is strange that there is little readily available in drainage while taro can be grown in lowlands too formation on the economically important species wet for Xanthosoma culture. Also, Colocasia escu of this genus. Generally, in literature on root lenta, which should be readily recognized by its crops, Xanthosoma species are discussed jointly peltate leaves, is not limited to tropical regions with the taro (Colocasia esculenta Schott) and and is grown throughout the coastal plain of our this practice tends to obscure the distinction be southern States as far north as South Carolina, tween the two crops. The cocoyams (Xantho where it is commonly called ELEPHANT'S EAR soma spp.), though superior comestibly and nu (a name popularly given to ornamental forms of tritionally, remain the lesser known.
    [Show full text]
  • Effect of Growth Regulators on Leaf Development of Caladium
    Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc. 106:283-286. 1993. EFFECT OF GROWTH REGULATORS ON LEAF DEVELOPMENT OF CALADIUM S. E. Nixon of basal shoots of Anthurium (Henny and Fooshee, 1989), Auburn University to increase the number of lateral shoots of Dieffenbachia Auburn, Alabama (Wilson and Nell, 1983), and to increase the number of phylloclades and flowers of Schlumbergera (Heins et al., G. J. WlLFRET 1981). PBA increased the number of lateral shoots of An Gulf Coast Research & Education Center thurium (Higaki & Rasmussen, 1979), increased the IFAS, University of Florida number of cuttings produced from Dracaena (Criley, Bradenton, FL 34203 1980), and increased the number of lateral shoots of Pel- lionia (Henley and Poole, 1974) and Pilea (Henley and Additional index words, dikegulac, thidiazuron, benzyladenine, Poole, 1974). Thidiazuron (TDZ), used to defoliate mature tetrahydropyranylbenzyladenine, tuber, Caladium x Hor- green leaves in cotton, has been used to stimulate in vitro tulanum. shoot formation in apple (van Niewkerk et al., 1986). Henny and Fooshee (1990) showed that a TDZ drench at Abstract. Growth regulators N6-benzyladenine (BA), tetra the base of Alocasia plants increased the number of elon hydropyranylbenzyladenine (PBA), dikegulac, and thidiazu gated buds but reduced root growth. Similar TBZ treat ron (TDZ) were evaluated to ascertain their ability to negate ments of Syngonium yielded numerous elongated basal apical dominance of the terminal buds of caladium tubers buds which failed to develop and produce new leaves and to stimulate the development of lateral eyes. BA and (Henny and Fooshee, 1991). Dikegulac has been shown to PBA, at concentrations of 0, 12.5, 25, or 50 ppm applied as promote lateral branching on herbaceous plants such as a 15 min tuber soak on intact or de-eyed caladium 'Can- salvia and verbena (Anon., 1970) and has been used as a didum' and 'Postman Joyner', had no effect on number of chemical pinching agent on azaleas (Heursel, 1975; Lar leaves, leaf length, time to marketability, and plant height.
    [Show full text]