Growth of Flower Stalks and Seed Setting of Pinellia ternata Breit

Abstract

1. The flower stalks of Pinellia ternata grew from May to the middle of September in Kyoto district. The highest bolting percentage was shown in June. It was recognized that the bolting percentage became higher, as the weight cf corms increased. Some more 4gr. corms, occasionally, developed more two stalks at the same time.
2. The seed setting percentage was the highest in August. The percentage which was calculated from the numbers of total stalks and total setting seeds was 15-16% in the corms from 1 to 6gr. in weight.
3. The bolting percentage was lower, as the corms were planted deeper. When the corms planted 20cm at depth, they developed no flower stalks.
4. When the numbers of seeds setting in an inflorescence were examinated in 60, it was shown that they fluctuated between 3-42 seeds, and averaged 19 seeds. One hundred seeds weight ranged from 200 to 1200mg with a mean weight of 685mg. When the germination of these seeds was investigated in July and August, the former showed 34.5% and the latter, 56.2%. No relations between seed weight and germination percentage was recognized.