Plant Biotechnology

Canna, Canna glauca

Introduction
Canna glauca is a species of the Canna genus, the only member of the family Cannaceae.
The closest living relations to cannas are the other plant families of the order Zingiberales;
that is the gingers, bananas, marantas, heliconias, strelitzias, etc. The species have large,
attractive foliage and horticulturists have turned it into a large-flowered, brash, bright and
sometimes gaudy, garden plant. The name Canna originates from the Celtic word for a cane
or reed.

Botany
It is a perennial-ponds and aquatic plant growing up to 1.5 m. In tropical and subtropical
regions, it is in flower from August to October, and the seeds ripen in October. The flowers
are hermaphroditic and in variety of colours: yellow; burnt orange with white edged leaves;
red with purple brown edged leaves; and salmon pink. The flowers are composed of three
sepals and three petals that are seldom noticed by people, they are small and hidden under
extravagant stamens. New shoots rise at intervals from the slowly creping roots like
sprouting stem of bamboo, giving a plant a continuously lush appearance. Although
gardeners enjoy these odd flowers, nature really intended them to attract pollinators
collecting nectar and pollen, such as bees, hummingbirds and bats.

In the last three decades of the 20th century, Canna have been categorised by two different
taxonomists, Paulus Johannes Maria Maas from Netherlands and Nobuyuki Tanaka from
Japan. Inevitably, there are differences in their categorisations. Both agree that C. glauca is
a distinct species, but in addition, Tanaka also recognises a separate variety.

Origin and Adaptation

It originates from the wetlands of tropical America/New World and was introduced to
England in 1730. T.N. Khoshoo and Iva Mukhejee reported during the 44 years: 1848 to
1892, the speed of evolution was rapid and its direction governed by the following principles
of selection: increase in hardiness, reduction in height, spikes well above foliage, free

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flowering, erect flowers, increase in flower size, colour diversity, circular form of flowers,
increase in thickness of flower parts and durability of flower, self shedding flowers, etc. The
result has been the transformation of C. glauca from simple foliage plants to attractive
ornamental flowers.

Canna glauca var. siamensis (Kraenzl) Nb. Tanaka, 2001 (pic) is a contentious variety as it
occurs widely in South and Southeast Asia, where it is supposed to have differentiated
within the past few centuries. According to Jean-Baptiste Lamarck and Nobuyuki Tanaka, C.
glauca have been grown for a long time in Southeast Asia, India, and Africa, with both
species imported from Central and South America. It has exotestal layer composed of
Malphigian cells from tegumentary, raphal, and chalazal layers, which provide mechanical
protection and a physical barrier to imbibition. However, the seed are able to absorb water
after the raising of the preformed imbibition lid on the raphe, a structure unique to C.
glauca. During imbibition, exotesta looses its hardness, allowing the embryo to emerge.
Since it has multilayer, very hard, and durable seed coverings, it is likely that seed remains
would have survived in water-logged soil. Seeds from archaeological sites of an age of 600
years have proved still viable.

Cultivation
The species prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and requires well-
drained soil. The preferred soil is weak acid with pH 6 to 6.5. It cannot grow in the shade
and requires moist soil. It was propagated by dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs
(including offsets). The rhizomes transplant and divide easily any time of year. They also
spread on their own by branching, so one plant eventually becomes a cluster of many
plants. They usually sprout in 7 to 14 days.

Generally C. glauca are free of diseases and pest. However, they may fall victim to fungus
(symptom called canna rust) and Canna specific viruses. Treatment is to simply remove the
old leaves or flowers that are affected.

Uses
Canna glauca are one of the most popular garden plants and a large horticultural industry
depends on the plant. The rhizome is rich in starch, and it has many uses in agriculture. All
of the plant has commercial value, rhizomes for starch (consumption by humans and
livestock); stems and foliage for animal fodder; young shoots as a vegetable; and young
seeds as an addition to tortillas. In more remote regions of India, cannas are fermented to
produce alcohol. The plant yields a fibre - from the stem - it is used as a jute substitute and
making paper. In Thailand, C. glauca are a traditional gift for Father's Day.

References
Cooke, I. 2001. The Gardener's Guide to Growing Cannas. Timber Press, Portland, Oregon,
USA.

Fang, Y., Hua, W.P., Qing, X.S., Guang, Z.W., and Hua, F.D. 2004. Technique of Scarifying and
Fermenting Process of Canna Starch. Southwest China University Journal of
Agricultural Sciences. 17 (2): 231-234

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Khoshoo, T.N. and Guha, I. 1976. Origin and Evolution of Cultivated Cannas. Vikas Publishing
House, New Delhi, India.

Khoshoo, T.N. and Mukherjee, I. 2004. Genetic Evolutionary Studies on Cultivated Cannas.
Theoretical and Applied Genetics. 40 (5): 204-217.

Kubitzki, K. and Huber, H. 1998. Flowering Plants: Monocotyledon Alismatanae and

Commelinanae (except Gramineae). Springer, New York, USA.

Ogden, S. 2007. Garden Bulbs for the South. Timber Press, Portland, Oregon, USA.

Tanaka, N. 2001. Taxonomic Revision of the Family Cannaceae in the New World and Asia.
Makino Botanical Garden. 1: 1-74.

http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Canna+glauca (120909)

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 Plant Biotechnology

Orange Jessamine, Murraya paniculata

Introduction
Murraya paniculata is often sold as a jessamine plant that belongs in the Murraya genus.
The Murraya genus contains 12 species in the family Rutaceae, which also includes curry
tree. Orange jessamine belongs to the same species as Murraya alata (Drake).

Botany
Orange jessamine is an evergreen tree which usually heights to 2 to 3 metres. It bears
pinnate leaves of three to nine ovate leaflets that are three to four centimetres and has a
darn-green colour with a stiff texture. The tree produces white flowers borne in a small
cluster near branch ends that have five petals each. A red elliptic fruit of about one
centimetre develops to produce one or two seeds that are tear-drop shaped. Certain orange
jessamine can form multiple roots and abundant fine roots.

It is a plant that does not require of special pollinators as it can self-pollinate. However, the
seeds are usually dispersed by the help of animal vectors: birds.

Origin and Adaptation

The plant is found from India and China through South East Asia to Malaysia and Northern
Australia. It has an alluring fragrance due to which it is cultivated throughout the tropics and
subtropics.

Murraya paniculata adapts to a wide range of conditions. Naturalized plants in Puerto Rico
grow in areas receiving 750 mm to 1900 mm of annual precipitation. It takes more likings to
the alkaline soil. Orange jessamine can grow on most well-drained soils derived from both
sedimentary and igneous rocks. It also can grow from nearly sea level to elevations of 1300
m. Under the shade, it can produce few flowers or fruits and are therefore known as
moderately intolerant of shade.

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 Plant Biotechnology

Seedlings do not compete well with grass or herbaceous vegetation. In the wild, orange
jessamine contributes to the biodiversity, protects the soil, and furnishes food and cover for
wildlife. The plant flowers throughout the years and produces small, fragrant flower clusters
which attract bees, while the fruits attract small fructivorous birds.

Cultivation
Germination usually takes place hypogeneously where it has a floral part, while nursery
production is by seed, cuttings, and air-layers. Seedlings quickly develop deep root systems
and grow at moderate rate. Propagation is easily done by seeds and not so easily by
softwood cuttings.

Orange jessamine plants can live at least 15 years and need little care. The species has not
yet been reported to be a weed in any area, but it can be killed with herbicides
recommended for broad-leaf weeds, by girdling, or by grubbing out the plants. Murraya
paniculata is vulnerable to soil nematodes, scales, sooty molds, and whitefiles. It is also the
preferred host to the insect pest Diaphorina citri (citrid psyllid), which is responsible for the
citrus greening disease.

Uses
Murraya paniculata is a popular ornamental plant in the tropics. It can be pruned into
animal and other shapes, pruned into tree form, grown as a potted plant or cultivated as a
bonsai. The leaves and other tissues have both stimulant and astringent properties and are
used to treat diarrhoea, dysentery, cuts, joint pain, body aches, venereal disease, and as a
abortive. In addition to essential oils, tissues of orange jessamine contain the indole alkaloid
yuehchukene and at least eight highly oxygenated flavones.

References
Huang, K.C. and Williams, W.M. 1999. The Pharmacology of Chinese Herbs. CRC Press, Boca
Raton, Florida, USA.

Kimura, T and Paul, P.H. 1998. International Coalition of Traditional and Folk Medicine:
Northeast Asia Part I. World Scientific Publishing Co, Singapore.

http://www.gmbonsai.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=104&Itemid=40
(120909)

http://hort.ufl.edu/shrubs/MURPANA.pdf (140909)

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 Plant Biotechnology

Chris Plant, Euphorbia milii

Introduction
Euphorbia milii, also known as Christ plant or Crown of Thorns is from Crassulacease and
Euphorbiaceae family. This euphorbia, among the 2000 or more known species of the
spurge family, is an old trooper. It is classified as a succulent, a plant with thick fleshy leaves
and stems adapted for water storage.

Botany
The stems are 5-7 sided, greyish brown, branched and up to 2-3 inches in height with many
prominent grey 1 inch spines. The leaves tend to be obovate (wider near the tip), up to 1½
inch in length, but much larger (up to 6 inch) in the Thai hybrids. They have a smooth edge,
are spirally arranged on the stem, and range from bright green to greyish green. Foliage is
produced on new stem growth. The inflorescence is composed of a specialized structure
termed a cyathium comprising a cuplike involucre, within which is set a single much reduced
female flower surrounded by three male flowers reduced to single stamens. The cyathia are
borne in clusters (cymes) and each cyathium. They produce flower throughout the year. It
also has tiny flowers which look like petal-like bracts and come with the color of red, yellow,
white, pink, and orange.

There are few serious pests: scale insects and mealy bugs are most frequently seen, with
spider mites and thrips an occasional problem. These problems are easily combated with
regular cleaning of dead and dried leaves.

Origins and Adaptation

Euphorbia milii is not fussy, and can produce cheery bracts of orange to salmon-pink and
white-red all year round. It is native in Madagascar, where it grows happily in granite
crevices, reaching up to 40 inches, though as a houseplant it rarely exceeds this height. Its
long thorny branches are about as thick as a little finger and are easily trained over a hoop.
The plant has adapted to dry conditions where little amount of water is available. Alike

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cactus, it has thorns and tolerates the dry seasons well. It does not need watering often and
grows well in dry well drained soils.

Cultivation
Crown of Thorns is usually propagated from tip cuttings. Euphorbia milii is a drought tolerant
plant. It requires low humidity and the soil needs to dry before watering. It should be kept
away from excessive rainfall. It can also tolerate a minimum temperature of 15°C.
Meanwhile, Euphorbia milii grows and blooms better with maximum amount of sunlight,
random tip cutting, moderate amount of fertilizer, and planting it with some distance
between one and another. During the flowering period it will do well in average home
temperature (20°-30°C).

Uses
Due to the ease in requirements, Euphorbia milii has been used fondly as a decorative plant.
Euphorbia milii is poisonous, particularly the juice from its woody stems. Its latex is a potent
plant molluscicide and a promising alternative to niclosamide. It has been used in human
and veterinary medicine as a drug of choice to treat several tapeworm infections.

References
De-Carvalho, R.R., Maldonado, A., Oliviera-Filho, E.C., Ribeiro, A.C., Paumgartten, F.J.R., and
Rey, L. 1998. Effects of Euphorbia milii Latex on Schistosoma mansoni Eggs;
Miracidia and Cercariae. Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. 93 (1): 235-237.

Spencer, R. and Pearson, S. 2002. Horticultural Flora of South Eastern Australia. UNSW
Press, Sydney, Australia.

Zachos, E. 2005. Tempting Tropicals: 175 Irresistible Indoor Plants. Timber Press, Portland,
Oregon, USA.

http://miami-dade.ifas.ufl.edu/pdfs/ornamental/ornamental_publications/crown-of-thorns-
homeowner.pdf (140909)

http://www.weekendgardener.net/2006/11/crown-of-thorns-euphorbia-milii.htm (140909)

http://www.greenpatio.com/plantdatabase/euphorbiamilli.shtml (140909)

http://www.skh.com/PlantCare/euphorbia_milli.pdf (130909)