ISHS Acta Horticulturae 813: VI International Symposium on New Floricultural Crops
DEMONSTRATING THE POTENTIAL OF SOUTH AFRICAN RESTIONACECE AS NEW ORNAMENTAL PLANTS |
| Authors: | Z. May, P. Fick, B.I. Jørgensen |
| Keywords: | Restios, Elegia capensis, Chondropetaum tectorum, Rhodocoma gigantean, R. Capensis, Calopsis paniculata, ornamental grasses, propagation, new ornamental plants |
| Abstract:
Restionaceae, commonly called Restios or Cape Reeds, are a family closely related to grasses and sedges. This is a typical “southern” plant family found on all the southern continents as well as New Zealand. The Restionaceae comprises 55 genera and approximately 490 species, of which 19 genera and some 330 species are found in the Western Cape of South Africa. Restios are one of the defining families of fynbos, the unique and threatened shrubland vegetation occurring in a small belt of the Western Cape. Their natural habitat is coastal and mountainous areas with winter rainfall and a Mediterranean climate. Like a number of other fynbos species, Restios may require or benefit from smoke treatment for seed germination. The Restios are perennial, evergreen plants, ranging from 10 cm to 3 m in height; the plants have erect photosynthetic stems with leaves reduced to leaf sheaths. The family is dioecious and is wind pollinated. Some Restios have economic importance in South Africa as a traditional thatching material, and for decades certain species have been exported as cut-greens. The full potential of Restionaceae as ornamental plants is however only just beginning to be exploited. There is a growing trend towards using grasses and grass-like plants for landscaping as well as in interior decorating, and Restionaceae with its many highly ornamental species will be very suitable for exploiting this opportunity. Restios may be grown as potted plants, as patio plants, as garden plants and for cut foliage. Some species are moderately frost hardy and are becoming increasingly popular in e.g. the southern UK. At New Plant Nursery we have been propagating and growing Restios for more than two decades. We constantly strive to develop new species for the local market and, through our new export venture Fair Plant Nursery, for the export market. Recent developments include special selections for pot and patio plants. Several ornamental species will be presented and policy issues regarding conservation of biodiversity and intellectual property rights will be discussed. | |
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