Heliconia SCARLET: a mexican variety for cut flower and gardening

Resumen

Objective: To carry out the morphological characterization of Heliconia uxpanapensis X Heliconia latispatha var. Scarlet for varietal registration purposes.
Design, Methodology and Approximation: By means of rhizomes division of 71-1 plant from a plot of H. uxpanapensis X H. latispatha segregant plants (F2), twelve plants (tillers) were generated, planted, and cultivated in open field under 30% of natural shade. Morphological characterization was methodic conducted using the Technical Guide descriptors for Heliconias designed by the National Seed Inspection and Certification Service (SNICS, 2023).
Results: Morphological characters of the clones from the 71-1 segregant plant, tested with the SNICS Technical Guide descriptors, were constant so that a differentiation could be make between the Scarlet and Karely, a reference variety found in the Guide. Scarlet variety’s primary distinctive characteristics are the red color, high brilliance, and the revolute-involute margins of their bracts. Their inflorescence morphological characteristic suggest they can be cultivated for cut flower and gardening.
Study limitations and implications: In order for Scarlet variety express, their characteristics of intense color and bracts brightness, they have to be cultivated under 30% of shade.
Findings and conclusions: Based on the Technical Guide descriptors for heliconias varietal description (SNICS, 2023), the Scarlet variety differentiates from the Karely (reference variety) as it presents a stabilitydistinction-homogeneity. For this reason, the varietal registration seems appropriate.