Cultivars of Euphorbia pulcherrima from Mexico

M.T. Colinas, A. Espinosa, J. Mejia, M.A. Rodríguez, M.L. Pérez, I. Alia-Tejacal
We have collected plants and seeds of heliophytic cultivars of Euphorbia from different states, mainly: Guerrero, Morelos, Mexico, Colima, Oaxaca, and Chiapas. This material was propagated and maintained under greenhouse conditions at the National Autonomous University of Chapingo. We have identified and characterized eight of the most important cultivars, using the UPOV guideline. After morphological description they were registered in the National Catalogue of Plant Varieties (CNVV), in the National System for the Inspection and Certification of Seeds (SNICS). We have identified variation in leaf size and form, petiole color, bract color and form, flowering time, and cyathia characteristics. All of the cultivars are arbustive with low branching. The most common one is named LSQUOValencianaRSQUO. This cultivar has the characteristic of cyathia deformation, where new bracts develop, so they usually have no seeds. The name of the other cultivars are: 'Valsu', 'Juan Pablo', 'Belen', 'Amanecer Navideño', 'Rehilete', 'Orejona' and 'Corona'. Nowadays 'Valenciana', 'Valsu' and 'Belen' can be found in gardens and parks almost all over the country. Some growers in the state of Morelos grow several of these cultivars at Christmas time, but production is low as well as the prices. One of the objectives of this group is to improve production of heliophytic cultivars, working in nutrition, management techniques, use of growth regulators. Another important objective is to make crosses in order to obtain new cultivars.
Colinas, M.T., Espinosa, A., Mejia, J., Rodríguez, M.A., Pérez, M.L. and Alia-Tejacal, I. (2015). Cultivars of Euphorbia pulcherrima from Mexico. Acta Hortic. 1104, 487-490
DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2015.1104.70
https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2015.1104.70
propagation, characterization, morphology, poinsettia
English

Acta Horticulturae