CONANTHERA SPP. LIFE CYCLE AND ORNAMENTAL POTENTIAL

Abstract

The endemic Chilean genus Conanthera belongs to the Tecophilaeaceae family and is distributed in the northern and central parts of Chile. This genus is formed of various species, all of which have a fibrous corm and beautiful blue, violet or white flowers of variable size and shape. These species could be used for ornamental purposes as pot or garden plants, and for this reason various studies were performed in the Maule Region of central Chile to obtain information about the genus Conanthera useful to its ornamental potential. Conanthera populations from diverse locations were prospected to determine species or types present and their floral characteristics. An attractive variety of colors and shapes was found, but in the studied region C. bifolia and C. campanulata were the most frequent species. All studied species grew in poor soils and with a limited water supply in the flowering season, in spring. All aerial parts of plants died during the summer and new sprouting occurred in autumn or early in winter. These plants have shown that they are easily grown, which could make them good garden plants. Also, the life cycle of C. bifolia, grown from autumn to spring under greenhouse conditions without heating, was studied. Under these conditions this species had an annual replacement corm and flower differentiation was completed after leaves emerged.