Seed dormancy and germination in the giant Himalayan lily (Cardiocrinum giganteum var. giganteum): an assessment of its potential for naturalization in northern Japan

Abstract

Understanding the potential for ornamental plant species to become naturalized in a nonnative habitat requires information on seed germination in order to help predict responses of the species to the natural environmental conditions of its new habitat. Cardiocrinum giganteum var. giganteum, which is native to the Himalayas, has been introduced as an ornamental plant in temperate regions of the world, and was categorized recently as invasive in New Zealand. Seed germination requirements of the species were determined under natural conditions in Hokkaido, Japan, to assess its potential to become naturalized in this region of Japan. Mature seeds were collected from its native range in the Indian Himalayas. At maturity in autumn, seeds had underdeveloped embryos, which grew in the second autumn and winter after exposure to summer temperatures. Radicles and cotyledons emerged in late winter and spring. Thus, an 18–19 month period was required from dispersal to seed germination. Under laboratory conditions, this period could be shortened to 10–11 months in a 25/15 °C (120 days) → 15/5 °C (90 days) → 0 °C (90 days) → 15/5 °C (60 days) temperature sequence. GA3 did not substitute for the above temperature requirements. These temperature requirements for seed germination of C. giganteum var. giganteum are very similar to those of its native Japanese congener C. cordatum var. glehnii. Seeds of both taxa have deep simple morphophysiological dormancy. The close similarity in the requirements for regeneration from seeds of the two taxa suggests that the seed stage of the life cycle is not an impediment to the naturalization of the giant Himalayan lily in northern Japan.

The Complete Chloroplast Genomes of Three Cardiocrinum (Liliaceae) Species: Comparative Genomic and Phylogenetic Analyses

“…Two of them, C. giganteum and C. cathayanum , form a parapatric species pair with abutting ranges in central China. The former is scattered in isolated patches across the Himalaya—Hengduan Mountains (including Bhutan, northeast India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sikkim), Southwest, and Central China (Phartyal et al, 2012), whereas C. cathayanum mainly occurs in isolated stands of montane deciduous forests in Southeast China. By contrast, C. cordatum is native to Japan and certain islands in the Russian Far East (Sakhalin, Kuriles; Araki et al, 2010).…”

“…Cardiocrinum species are widely grown as ornamental plants in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere for their large and gorgeous flowers (Phartyal et al, 2012). On the other hand, they are known to contain bioactive compounds, such as isopimarane-type diterpenoids (Liu, 1984) and inhibitors of 5-lipoxygenase activation, as well as high levels of various trace elements, such as Ca, Mg, Fe, and Zn (Wang et al, 2007).…”

A comprehensive view of epicotyl dormancy inViburnumfurcatum: combining field studies with laboratory studies using temperature sequences

“…Although the cold stratification requirement differs between these two species, the temperatures for cotyledon emergence were similar. Further, in many species with morphophysiologically dormant seeds, alternating temperatures are more effective for dormancy break and germination (Kondo et al, 2004(Kondo et al, , 2005(Kondo et al, , 2006Vandelook et al, 2007;Phartyal et al, 2009Phartyal et al, , 2012 than constant temperatures. An exception to this general situation is Trillium camschatcense, the seeds of which germinated better with constant temperatures (Kondo et al, 2011).…”

Pollen germination studies in Giant Himalayan Lily (Cardiocrinum giganteum Wall.) a high value of ornamental plant in Western Himalayan region

“…It is monocarpic in nature and produce flowers in monsoon (July-August) and seed setting occur in the autumn (October-November). Cardiocarinum giganteum is grown as an ornamental plant in temperate region of the Northern Hemisphere including the United States (Phartyal et al, 2012). Oldfield (1991) confirmed its continuation in international trade in horticultural bulbs of wild origin from India.…”

“…In addition to being an introduced ornamental, the species is hermaphroditic and has been reported to be an invasive species in its introduced habitat. Phartyal et al,(2012) stated that Giant Himalayan Lily has are suitable for screening purpose, grown in shaded and Bog Garden, border making and bedding purpose. The flowers can be used as a cut flower formatting bouquet, Flower arrangement and decorations.…”