Re: A few Questions

From: "Julius Boos" ju-bo at email.msn.com> on 2000.07.13 at 23:29:57(5087) Hi Danny, I am no expert on genetics, like you I am but a lover of plants (and other a few other things!) but you are correct--Colocasia and Alsocasia do seem to be closely related, and that they could be crossed would seem to confirm this close relationship ( but from memory it was reported that very few seed were produced, and even fewer germinated, and that the seedlings were weak). Caladiums and Xanthosomas would seem to be closely related due to their external apearance, but there are MANY differences, for instance their pollen is quite different, Caladium pollen is shed in monads (one large 'ball'), while Xanthosoma pollen is shed in tetrads (several 'balls' stuck together). This would seem to be a barrier to them crossing. Other genera with pollen similar to each of these might be a better bet, but even within genera with seemingly similar pollen there are barriers, for instance in the two clearly closely related genera Xanthosoma and Chlorospatha, both have pollen shed in tetrads, but the pollen is different in texture and size, and because of the size and shape of their respective inflorescences/spathes, it is suspected that different insects are involved as their respective pollenators in nature, so this also would be a barrier. Mother Nature is no fool! Some of the Aroid crosses proposed on this list would almost be the equivalent of crossing an Elephant with a bat, using the logic that since both are mammals, they will cross. Good luck, Julius +More ju-bo@msn.com Cheers, Julius >Hello to all I have learn also that there are some cross between colocasia ans alocasia(s this not a work from a man in japan?)But alocasia ans colocasia are really near..;!Xanthosoma and caladium are not so near that it was supposed some years before,for what i have learn about this subject.But sure there are on the list someone who may confirm or infirm what i think.I am only a collector!(and a lover)of plants Dany Hervelle from Belgium -----Message d'origine----- De : Pugturd@aol.com ? : Multiple recipients of list AROID-L Date : lundi 10 juillet 2000 22:45 Objet : A few Questions >Well, the other day I bought a few unusual Colocasia one was variegated and >another has red streaks down the stem. They were sold under their Hawaiian >names. kumu, maea, lehua. Here is some information I got off a site about >them. > >Araceae >Polynesian introduction >The most important plant in Hawaiian culture is Taro. Taro is a very useful >and beautiful plant. This staple food plant of the temperate zone was known >in China and in Egypt in the first century. It made it's way to Hawaii >through Southeast Asia, New Guinea, and the South Pacific Islands as a canoe >plant by the Polynesians. The Hawaiians cultivated over 300 named varieties. >They have rich variations in stalk colors and leaf petiole colors. Some of >the most striking varieties such as kumu, maea, and elepaio add grace to a >garden. Leaf tops sway in the breeze and make the plant look like it is >dancing a hula. The Kumu has red stalks and was used as an offering to the >Gods. Maea has dark burgundy stalks and burgundy veins, and the elepaio has >green stalks and green leaves, with white speckling on the leaves. One of the >most favored varieties for poi is lehua. It has green leaves, the stalks are >green and light pink. Most of the varieties are good table taro, just steamed >and covered with butter. The leaves are delicious steamed > >OK well this makes me wonder does any one have a list or photos of all these >unusual Colocasia. It seems their are a lot of them not in collections that >should be. Just recently Nancy's revenge Affinis Jeningsii and a few other >unusual looking forms have come out. > >I would like to also know if any of these Colocasia have been crossed with >Xanthosoma or Caladium's? I have read on here someone in China crossed an >Alocasia with a Colocasia? Is their any PICS of this? >It would be interesting to see a caladium bicolor crossed with a Colocasia or >a Xanthosoma magnificum cross. Thanks > > > >

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