Physiological and Ecological Studies of Lycoris radiata Herb
1. Investigation of Propagation
1980 Volume 25 Issue 1 Pages 1-5
Details
1980 Volume 25 Issue 1 Pages 1-5
Cluster amaryllis (Lycoris radiata Herb.), a hardy wild plant once closely connected with rural life, especially with agriculture.
This paper reports on physiological and ecological studies of the plant grown in the Shikoku area, particularly on factors contributing to its spread of habitat.
1) The average fresh weight per bulb was found to be 14-15g. The number of bulbs occurring naturally per 400cm2 was 31-55. Growth was usually gregarious, the shape of the clump being round or ovoid, about 30×50cm to 50×50cm in size. The average number of bulbs per clump was 150. Clumps grew close together to form frequently a larger group.
2) Although in Kagawa Prefecture bulbs in mountainous area showed different dry and fresh weights from bulbs in plain area, the differences in specific gravity of tissue powder were not significant statistically among areas. These results indicate that the plant is highly adaptable under normal circumstances.
3) From autumn through spring few weeds appeared in places where the plant was growing.
4) When cluster amaryllis was used as food in times of famine, the lower part of the bulb, Which was cut off and thrown away, often sprouted again. This probably was a factor in expansion of habitat.
