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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Hilo, Hawaii » Daniel K. Inouye U.S. Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center » Tropical Plant Genetic Resources and Disease Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #345445
Title: Floral developmental timing in the ornamental progenitor species Anthurium amnicola Dressler

Author
item Suzuki, Jon
item Horrell, Jonathan
item IMAMURA, JOANNE - University Of Hawaii
item AMORE, TERESITA - University Of Hawaii
item Matsumoto Brower, Tracie

Submitted to: Aroideana
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/10/2017
Publication Date: 12/31/2017
Citation: Suzuki, J.Y., Horrell, J.R., Imamura, J.L., Amore, T.D., Matsumoto Brower, T.K. 2017. Floral developmental timing in the ornamental progenitor species Anthurium amnicola Dressler. Aroideana. 40:40-48.

Interpretive Summary: Anthurium are popular cut flowers and potted plants due to attractive cultivars developed through extensive breeding and selection. The species A. amnicola has been used for hybridization in part due to the unique purple coloration of its spadix and spathe, the spike-like flower organ and leaf life bract, respectively of the floral stem as well as its compact stature and high yields. To gain a better understanding of flower development, form and yield, timing of flower development across different stages were measured in samples from these species. These data will serve as a framework for understanding the genes involved in commercially beneficial floral traits and their inheritance.

Technical Abstract: Designation and measurement of five timepoints in the development of the floral stem of A. amnicola were done to establish a general framework based on readily identifiable physical attributes for the study of floral gene expression in this species. The five stages were designated stage 1, bud in sheathe, stage 2, emerging bud, stage 3, elongation, stage 4, unfurled spathe and stage 5, reflexed spathe. The total times to stage 5 for two type (Dressler) species accessions of A. amnicola were 39 and 41 days whereas it was 47.3 days for a non type species accession. Overall, the period encompassing floral bud elongation, occupied greater than 50% of floral development for all accessions tested. The additional floral attributes of female receptivity and expressed volatiles was most highly correlated with the spathe reflexed stage. Pollen dehiscence in general occurred between 4 to 18 days following female receptivity. The period following the spathe reflex stage was also measured and calculated to be between around 23.1 -26.9 days for type species accessions and 42.9 days for the non type specie sample tested. The A. amnicola accessions with relatively shorter flower life also had shorter cycling between flowers and higher yields.