ISHS Acta Horticulturae 805: VIII International Protea Research Symposium
A NEW PROTEA L. HYBRID SELECTED IN PORTUGAL |
| Authors: | A.M. Passarinho, A. Cabral, A. Mexia, J. Neves-Martins, M.J. Leandro, M. Oliveira |
| Keywords: | Protea L., new variety, evaluation, Portugal |
| Abstract:
Seedling derived plants of the genus Protea were grown on farmland located in the southwest of Portugal, property of the Europrotea Company. Among them one plant, denominated ‘EP1999’, was selected as a natural interspecific hybrid of P. roupelliae and an unknown pollen parent, in 1999. The selection criteria were the inflorescence colour and size. ‘EP1999’ was vegetatively propagated using cuttings and its characterization is being performed in the DBEB- ISA (UTL), Technical University of Lisbon through its Agronomy Faculty, since 2003. The hybrid ‘EP1999’ is a medium sized shrub with an erect growth habit. It is absent in lignotuber and possessing leaves narrow elliptical, with position of broadest part in the middle, apex slightly obtuse, base acute, flat cross section, undulation of margin absent, and petiole absent. The inflorescence has medium diameter and length, cylindrical shape at opening, and colour greenish white. Involucral bracts main color is green and innermost involucral bracts are spatulate in shape with acute shape of apex, main color pink, medium density pubescence on margins and purplish apical tuft. The floret mass height is lower in relation to involucral bracts, the shape of apex is pointed and the colour is purplish. It flowers from July to September, with peak of flowering in the middle of August. ‘EP1999’ is similar to Protea ‘Pink Ice’ but possess different inflorescence colour and size. The head is smaller and is greenish white in color instead of pink. The application for Community Plant Variety Rights for ‘EP1999’ is already done and we are expecting the approval of this new hybrid by official evaluation. | |
Download Adobe Acrobat Reader (free software to read PDF files) | |
