Ornamental characteristics and vegetative propagation of Persicaria capitata

• Published in: Acta horticulturae no. 1000; pp. 245 - 250
• Main Authors: Pêgo, R.G, Oliveira, L.G, Garde, G.P, Grossi, J.A.S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: International Society for Horticultural Science 01.01.2013
• Subjects: atomization; color; digital images; flowers; leaves; ornamental value; Persicaria; plantlets; rice hulls; rooting; roots; sand; shade; shoots; soil; trays; vegetative propagation; vermiculite
• ISSN: 0567-7572
• DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2013.1000.32

Persicaria capitata (Buch.-Ham. Ex D.Don) H.Gross is a species of Polygonaceae family. This plant is found in colonizing walls, rocky soils, shaded places and moist environment. This species has high ornamental value, but little is known about it and there are no scientific studies to enable the production. Therefore, research is necessary that enables the propagation and production of P. capitata. This work aimed to characterize the ornamental potential of P. capitata and determine the best substrate to plantlets production. Stem cuttings with 5 cm length were placed to root on 120 cells trays filled with sand, vermiculite or carbonized rice husk as substrate. The cuttings were placed for rooting in mist chamber under intermittent nebulization in the period of six sec. and interval of 12 min. The chamber was covered with shading mesh 50%. After 30 days they were evaluated: number of shoots, number of leaves, root length and fresh weight of plants. The Digital images were captured by digital camera to describe the ornamental characteristics. This species exhibits green leaves with a “V” purple color streak, pink flowers and underwood habit. These characteristics are ideal for green carpet use. There was no significant difference in emission of shoots or leaves formation in the substrates studied. Plantlets produced on vermiculite and rice husk had larger roots of 17.3 cm and 16.0 cm and greater fresh weight of 1.4 g and 1.1 g, respectively. In conclusion, P. capitata has ornamental features that enable their insertion into flower market and their propagation must be performed in vermiculite or rice husk.