Calydorea

Abstract: Plants of the family Iridaceae are well represented in the grassland vegetation of southern Brazil, occurring in the Pampa and Atlantic Forest biomes. Nevertheless, little is known about the taxonomy and evolution of Iridaceae species in southern Brazil. The main goal of this review is to compile published information about South American Iridaceae, and to discuss the evolution and genetic diversity of the family presenting our own research data in the light of the published literature. The main focus is on the genera Calydorea, Cypella, Herbertia, and Sisyrinchium. Aspects of reproductive system and of pollinator attraction are also discussed.

Abstract: Two new genera of Iridaceae–Tigridieae, namely Catila and Onira, are described. The former is based on Catila amabilis Ravenna, a new species; the latter on Herbertia unguiculata Baker. Both belong to the flora of south–eastern South America. The relationships of Catila with Cypella Herb, and Calydorea Herb., two genera so far considered as belonging respectively to the tribes Tigridieae, and Sisyrinchieae, are emphasized. Moreover, its inflorescence, seedling, and pollen morphology, as well as chromosome number (2n = 14), are described. Onira, the second genus here proposed is considered as related to Cypella, Sympa Rav., and Kelissa Rav., and less closely also to Catila. The tribes Tigridieae and Sisyrinchieae are surveyed and discussed, especially in relation to the systematics of the genera concerned. In this connection, the “cypel–loid” character of the androecium and gynoecium of Cipura Aubl., and the unrealistic concepts on which previous authors based their descriptions of this genus, are disclosed. As a result, tribe Tigridieae is emended, in order to include exclusively the American genera bearing a tunicated bulb covered by membranous, or at least not fibrous coats.

Abstract: Chilean geophytes are distributed throughout the country, between Arica (18°29’ South latitude) and Tierra del Fuego (54°20’ South latitude). However, the greatest diversity is concentrated in the central part of the country, which has a Mediterranean climate. There are about 40 genera, and, depending on the species, they have a great potential either as garden plants or as cut flowers. A 4-year study was conducted to test different methods of both sexual and vegetative propagation on 19 species: Alstroemeria pseudospathulata, Bomarea salsilla, Calydorea xiphioides, Conanthera bifolia, Herbertia lahue, Leucocoryne coquimbensis, L. ixioides, L. purpurea, Libertia sessiliflora, Pasithea caerulea, Phycella australis, Placea arzae, Rhodophiala bagnoldii, R. montana, R. phycelloides, R. rhodolirion, R. splendens, Tecophilaea violiflora and Tropaeolum polyphyllum. The seeds of most of the species either germinated poorly or did not germinate when placed in standard conditions (20°C and moist conditions). To find the optimum germination procedures various seed treatments were tested including: soaking, chilling, and scarification, among others. The treatments were considered satisfactory when more than 70% germination was achieved. All species that were studied can be propagated efficiently by seeds when the appropriate treatment is being used, except Libertia sessiliflora. The bulbs, depending on their size, were also propagated asexually by cutting into halves, or into more sections. All species can be vegetatively propagated by these techniques with the exception of Alstroemeria pseudospathulata. Techniques of scooping, cross cutting, and twin scaling were also tested in some species with good results. Further research on these and other aspects on the cultivation of the Chilean geophytes are required, and are currently underway. INTRODUCTION There are more than 40 genera of geophytes that grow naturally within Chile. Among them, about 19 of the monocotyledonous genera are endemic (Munoz and Moreira, 2000). Chilean geophytes are distributed throughout the entire country, between Arica (18°29’ South latitude) and Tierra del Fuego (54°20’ South latitude); however, the greatest diversity is found in the central part of the country, which has Mediterranean-type climate (Hoffmann et al., 1998). The urban growth and the agricultural and forestry activities are affecting the conservation status of the Chilean geophytes. Their degree of endemism, their small population sizes and localization make them more susceptible than other plants to any change in their habitat. The biological study of the Chilean geophytes is necessary both for their domestication and for their ex situ conservation. Although studies about flowering physiology have been conducted in Leucocoryne (Kim and Ohkawa, 1998; Kim et al., 1998a; Kroon, 1989; Ohkawa et al., 1998), and Zephyra (Kim and Ohkawa, 1997; Kim et Proc. IX Intl. Symp. on Flower Bulbs Eds.: H. Okubo, W.B. Miller and G.A. Chastagner Acta Hort. 673, ISHS 2005 122 al., 1996, 1997, 1998b), few studies have been conducted with either seed or vegetative multiplication of Chilean geophytes (Thompson and Newman, 1979; King and Bridgen, 1990; Bridgen, 1991; Lu et al., 1995; De la Cuadra et al., 2002). The aim of this work was to study both the sexual and vegetative propagation of 19 Chilean geophyte species. MATERIALS AND METHODS Plant Material Studies were conducted between years 1997 and 2001 with the following 19 Chilean geophyte species: Leucocoryne coquimbensis, L. ixioides, L. purpurea (Alliaceae); Alstroemeria pseudospathulata, Bomarea salsilla (Alstroemeriaceae), Phycella australis, Placea arzae, Rhodophiala bagnoldii, R. montana, R. phycelloides, R. rhodolirion, R. splendens (Amaryllidaceae); Pasithea caerulea (Hemerocallidaceae); Calydorea xiphioides, Herbertia lahue, Libertia sessiliflora (Iridaceae); Conanthera bifolia, Tecophilaea violiflora (Tecophilaeaceae); Tropaeolum polyphyllum (Tropaeolaceae). Seeds and vegetative propagules (bulbs, corms, tubercles, etc.) of these species were collected from their natural habitat in different sites where the species were abundant. These habitats included young pine tree plantings, sides of rural roads, savannah of Acacia caven, and coastal and Andes mountain ranges. All experiments were performed in facilities of the Talca University, located in Talca, Chile (35°23’ South latitude and 71°40’ West longitude, 110 m above sea level). Seed Germination Techniques Seeds were stored in airtight glass containers, with silica gel, at room temperature. With all of the species that were studied, except for Alstroemeria pseudospathulata and Bomarea salsilla, seed germination was first tested under standard conditions, which consisted of 20°C and moist conditions without previous treatment. If the seeds did not germinate, or germinated in low percentages, different treatments were applied. The additional treatments were mechanical scarification using sandpaper or a knife, acid scarification with sulphuric acid by immersion for a definite period of time (until a change in the color of the seed coat), hot water scarification, immersion in sodium hypochlorite, and stratification at 8°C. Darkness treatments were performed by placing the seeds in acrylic boxes covered with aluminum foil. All seeds were first soaked in water for 1 or 2 days, unless otherwise stated. Seeds were placed on pleated filter paper inside acrylic boxes and held in germination rooms maintained at different temperatures (depending of the experiment) and constant light. When the stratification treatment was applied, seeds were held in a refrigerator at an average temperature of 8°C. Distilled water was used to wet the filter paper, and a fungicide (Thiram) in the powdered form was applied on top of the seeds. In most of the experiments 4 replications of 25 seeds each were used. Seed germination was checked after three, five and seven days, and then weekly; and the number of germinated seeds was recorded. Germination was defined as the moment when the radicle was clearly visible. Germination values were expressed as percentage. These were arcsine-transformed for statistical analysis. All data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA), and also, Duncan’s multiple range test. Different experiments were performed from 1998 to 2001 until a satisfactory result was achieved in each species. Vegetative Propagules Propagation Techniques The different vegetative propagation techniques used commercially in geophyte species were reviewed in Hartmann et al. (1997), Rees (1992), van Leeuwen and van der Weijden (1997), and Mori et al. (1997). For each Chilean geophyte that was studied, some vegetatively propagated techniques were attempted considering the characteristic of the geophytic organ, particularly its type and size. Division was applied to corms, rhizomes,

Abstract: The monotypic genus Tamia was described by Ravenna in 2001 based on specimens of Calydorea pallens from Bolivia and West-Central Argentina (excluding Cordoba and San Luis). At the same time, Ravenna described Calydorea undulata as a new species to accommodate the excluded specimens. He used floral morphology to segregate Tamia from Calydorea. He described Calydorea as having the anthers twisted/circinate after dehiscence, whereas in Tamia, the anthers are straight. Similarly, in Tamia the upper third of the anther is adnate to the style arms while in Calydorea the anthers are free from the style branches. We here evaluate the validity of Tamia and C. undulata based on morphological and cytological approaches. An examination of living plants of both taxa showed the anthers to be straight during dehiscence and twisted when the pollen was exposed, likewise the stamens were completely free from style branches in both taxa. Both have a base chromosome number of x = 7 (C. undulata diploid, 2n = 14; T. ...