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Verkade, S.D. and G.E. Fitzpatrick. 1990. Development of the threatened halophyte Mallotonia gnaphalodes as a new ornamental crop. p. 470. In: J. Janick and J.E. Simon (eds.), Advances in new crops. Timber Press, Portland, OR.

Development of the Threatened Halophyte Mallotonia gnaphalodes as a New Ornamental Crop

Stephen D. Verkade and George E. Fitzpatrick

Climatic and ecological adaptability coupled with desirability for use in habitat restoration programs have increased consumer demand for rare and endangered plant species. Certain of these species have great potential for horticultural development once production barriers have been overcome. The sea-lavender, Mallotonia gnaphalodes is very rare in nature, but exhibits many desirable landscape characteristics. The recent delineation of successful propagation procedures for sea lavender has provided an opportunity for further economic development of this species.

Research has been conducted to determine optimum rooting conditions for sea-lavender and to evaluate transplant procedures. Successful rooting of cuttings was accomplished using fog propagation, 8,000 ppm indolebutryic acid, and a well-aerated rooting medium. Optimum transplant success on nonirrigated beach sites was achieved using organic topdressings composed of municipal solid waste compost.


Armitage, A.M., J.M. Laushman, and F. Vogel. 1990. Photoperiodic control of flowering of Salvia leucantha L. p. 470. In: J. Janick and J.E. Simon (eds.), Advances in new crops. Timber Press, Portland, OR.

Photoperiodic Control of Flowering of Salvia leucantha L.

Allan M. Armitage, J.M. Laushman, and F. Vogel

Salvia leucantha, velvet sage, has potential as a cut flower crop grown under protected environment or in the field. In the field, flowering naturally occurs in August in north Georgia (34°N), and continues until frost. Yields of Salvia leucantha in the field ranged from 250 to 330 stems per square meter. Investigations were conducted to determine the response of Salvia leucantha to photoperiod and to light drift. Macrobud development occurred when the photoperiod was 12 hours or less but anthesis required photoperiods of 10 hours or less. A minimum of 14 SD cycles (8 hr) resulted in macrobud development but at least 42 cycles were necessary for anthesis. Low irradiance drift resulted in inhibition of macrobud development and anthesis. Inhibition occurred when plants received more than 0.13 umoles m-2 s-1 irradiance from 2200 to 0200 hours.


Kitto, S. and P. Geiselhart. 1990. Regeneration and proliferation of Veltheimia bracteata. p. 470. In: J. Janick and J.E. Simon (eds.), Advances in new crops. Timber Press, Portland, OR.

Regeneration and Proliferation of Veltheimia bracteata

Sherry Kitto and Pamela Geiselhart

The common red-flowered, as well as the rarer yellow-flowered, forms of Veltheimia bracteata would be valuable to the ornamental market if available in large quantities. Conventional propagation techniques are slow; however, rapid mass propagation may be possible via tissue culture. Red- and yellow-flowered Veltheimia bracteata scape sections (0.5 cm thick) and floral parts (ovary, immature seeds and bracts) have been cultured on medium containing Murashige and Skoog (1962) salts and the following addenda in mg/liter: sucrose, 60,000; nicotinic acid, 0.5; thiamine-HCl, 0.4; pyridoxine-HCl, 0.4; glycine, 2; washed Difco Bacto agar, 6,000 and growth regulators (NAA; 0, 1, 2, 4 and BA; 0, 1, 2). Cultures were maintained at 23±2°C with a 16 hour photoperiod (60 µmol m-2 s-1) and were recultured every 4 weeks. Bulblets have been regenerated from scape sections and bracts. Histological analysis has demonstrated that bulblets regenerate from callus. Proliferating cultures have been established from regenerated bulblets. Immature seeds have germinated to produce plantlets when cultured on growth regulator-free medium.
Last update March 21, 1997 by aw