View/Open - ResearchSpace - University of KwaZulu-Natal
View/Open - ResearchSpace - University of KwaZulu-Natal
View/Open - ResearchSpace - University of KwaZulu-Natal
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1 Introduction<br />
1.1 PROPAGATION OF ROMULEA SPECIES FOR HORTICULTURAL AND<br />
CONSERVATION PURPOSES<br />
Romulea is a genus with many species <strong>of</strong> potential horticultural value. The fast<br />
growth, attractive growth forms, regular flowering and diverse flower variation with<br />
many aesthetically pleasing colours, makes species <strong>of</strong> this genus prime candidates<br />
for commercialisation as miniature potted plants and cut flowers (MANNING &<br />
GOLDBLATT, 1996; 1997; NIEDERWIESER et al., 2002).<br />
The Iridaceae is one <strong>of</strong> the most horticulturally important families <strong>of</strong> monocotyledons.<br />
Most <strong>of</strong> the cultivated ornamental species indigenous to South Africa have come<br />
from this family (COETZEE et al., 1999; NIEDERWIESER et al., 2002; REINTEN &<br />
COETZEE, 2002). The two genera <strong>of</strong> Iridaceae most in demand by the world market<br />
as floricultural crops are Gladiolus and Freesia (COETZEE et al., 1999). The<br />
production <strong>of</strong> cut flowers <strong>of</strong> Gladiolus and Freesia is a million dollar industry in many<br />
parts <strong>of</strong> the world (GOLDBLATT, 1991). These two genera are placed in the same<br />
tribe, Ixieae, as the genus Romulea (GOLDBLATT, 1990).<br />
The name Romulea was borrowed from the city <strong>of</strong> Rome, in vicinity <strong>of</strong> which the<br />
genus was first described by Maratti in a small taxonomic study published in 1772.<br />
He proposed that this species was distinct from Crocus, Colchicum, Sisyrinchium,<br />
Bulbocodium and Ixia (DE VOS, 1972).<br />
According to MANNING & GOLDBLATT (2001) there are approximately 90 species<br />
<strong>of</strong> Romulea. These species are found in sub-Saharan Africa, the Mediterranean<br />
basin, the Canary Islands, the Azores, and southern Europe (DE VOS, 1972;<br />
MANNING & GOLDBLATT, 2001). This attractive genus <strong>of</strong> the Iridaceae has its<br />
centre <strong>of</strong> diversity in the winter-rainfall zone <strong>of</strong> South Africa where 73 species are<br />
now recognized (MANNING & GOLDBLATT, 2001). <strong>View</strong>ing the flowering plants in<br />
this area is an important tourist attraction. It attracts international tourists including<br />
world renowned botanists and nature lovers. Many South Africans also travel across<br />
the country each year to immerse themselves in the beauty <strong>of</strong> this floral spectacle,<br />
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