Co-Authors:
Efron, H., Revivim Nurseries, Mobile Post 85 515, Ramat HaNegev Halutza, Israel
Cohen, A., Dept. of Ornamental Horticulture, ARO, Volcani Center, Bet Dagan 50 250, Israel
Abstract:
Ixiolirion tataricum is a geophyte, native to west and central Asia including many parts of Israel. The survival organ of the plant is a tunicated corm and the inflorescence is a panicle and flowers have a lilac or blue perianth. Since 1992 we have been studying the behavior of the plant in culture and have selected outstanding genotypes, in an attempt to develop it as an ornamental plant. The aim is to produce corms for gardening and also for cut flowers. We studied the natural variability, the conditions for seed and corm germination and the nature of growth from seeds and corms. The conditions that control flowering were determined. Outstanding plants were selected and used as parents for open pollination.