Propagation of Pterocephalus perennis by cuttings and its evaluation as ornamental

• Published in: Acta horticulturae no. 885; pp. 21 - 25
• Main Authors: Akoumianaki-Ioannidou, A, Alexiou, P, Fasseas, C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: International Society for Horticultural Science 01.01.2010
• Subjects: autumn; Dipsacaceae; flowers; indole butyric acid; landscaping; pallets; peat; petioles; planting; rock gardens; rooting; scanning electron microscopy; soil; spring; summer; trichomes; Greece
• ISSN: 0567-7572
• DOI: 10.17660/actahortic.2010.885.1

Pterocephalus perennis (Dipsacaceae) is an interesting species of low plantation (up to 15 cm high) native to Greece with grey-green leaves and many pink flowers arranged in inflorescences having a rich and extended blooming time in summer (June through August). In this work the possibility of its propagation by cuttings and possible use as ornamental were investigated. For this purpose cuttings were taken from six different naturally growing plants at three different periods and treated with IBA, at concentrations of 0, 2000 and 3000 ppm. The cuttings were planted in a peat/perlite mixture 1:1 v/v in pallets and watered by mist in order to investigate the seasonality of rooting. The morphology and anatomy of its leaves were also investigated with light and scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that P. perennis is easily propagated by cuttings, without the use of IBA. The highest rate of rooting success was observed in cuttings without IBA planted at spring (90%) where the rate of success was 55.5% for autumn and 39.6% for summer planted cuttings. The leaves of P. perennis are amphistomatic with mesophytic anatomical characteristics. Many glandular and non-glandular trichomes cover both sides of the leaves and leaf petioles which render the plant more resistant to biotic and abiotic factors. The anatomy of Pterocephalus perennis, its appearance, and its ability to grow in variable environments make it particularly suitable for commercial uses as an ornamental for landscaping, for covering slopes to retain soil as well as a houseplant in pots, roofs and rock gardens.