Potential of native Sphaeralceas to develop cultivars with xerolandscape value in Mendoza, Argentina
FLORICULTURE | Cuesta, G. - Gutierrez, M.T.
Tags: Sphaeralcea, globemallow, ornamental plant, drought tolerance, genetic
Due to droughts and water shortage in Mendoza Province (Argentina), urban green areas have been reduced with the consequent decrease in landscape quality. Replacing exotic plants with native, less water consumers, could make landscaping more sustainable. Lack of information and low availability in nurseries is a limiting factor. Sphaeralcea genus, native from arid and semiarid regions of America, is characterized by a brilliant, profuse and prolonged flowering. In this work we evaluate the potential of Sphaeralcea miniata and Sphaeralcea mendocina to obtain commercial cultivars. Variation of ornamental traits and commercial propagation were studied. Six populations were evaluated, flower and leaf samples were collected, seeds of both, autopolinated and open pollinated plants were cultivated in the nursery. Seed stratification and scarification techniques and rooting in stem cuttings were evaluated. Phenotypic variation in flower and leaf traits was found, this variation was found between and within populations and in the offsprings. Germination did not exceed 60%, probably due to physical rather than physiological dormancy. 60 to 68 % rooting of cuttings was obtained. The natural variation in ornamental traits is an indicator of the possibility to obtain different cultivars. Superior genotypes could be propagated by rooted cuttings. New research is necessary to improve seed germination.