GLADIOLUS (Gladiolus spp) AN IMPORTANT PLANT OF WILD AND CULTIVATED FLORA IN THE CENTRAL PART OF ALBANIA. Introduction

Transcription

1 GLADIOLUS (Gladiolus spp) AN IMPORTANT PLANT OF WILD AND CULTIVATED FLORA IN THE CENTRAL PART OF ALBANIA Elisabeta SUSAJ 1*, Lush SUSAJ 2, Irena KALLÇO 3, Florina PAZARI 3 1 University Fan S. Noli, Faculty of Agriculture, Korçë; 2 Agricultural University of Tirana, 3 University of Durrësi, ALBANIA * susaje2003@yahoo.com Abstract Gladiolus (Gladiolus spp) is one of the most spreaded flower of the Iridaceae Family in the central part of Albania, such as Tirana, Dajti s Mountain and Mati district, as spontaneously wild species or as cultivated plant into parks, small gardens and welts of the houses, hotels and locals, affecting to the increase of flora and fauna diversity, providing a sustainable biological equilibrium. Agrochemical and pedological soil properties in the central part of Albania are very suitable for the natural grow and cultivation of the gladiolus. There were identified four wild species which are grown spontaneously in the natural ecosystems and five cultivated varieties of gladiolus. The wild gladiolus species found in Tirana and Mati districts were Gladiolus segetum Ker-Gawl, Gladiolus illyricus Koch, Gladiolus palustris Gaud, and Gladiolus communis L. The wild gladiolus species were accompanied with annual and perennial herbaceous plants such were Lilium spp, Fragaria vesca L, Dianthus spp, Trifolium spp, Aegilopsus spp, Bellis perennis, Primula ssp, Rosa canina L, Pelargonium spp, Salvia officinalis L, Rubus spp, etc. The identified cultivated gladiolus in parks, small gardens and welts of the houses, public institutions and flowerpots of Tirana and suburban areas were Priscilla, Jacksonville Gold, Jessica, Aubade, Sussex (Butterfly), and Charm. Cultivated gladiolus were accompanied with other bulbous plants, such are Dahlia ssp, Hyacinthus spp, Narcissus ssp, Tulipa spp, Lilium spp, Iris spp, etc, and different ornamental perennial shrubs, or they were cultivated in groups with plants. Key words: cultivated flower, diversity, flora, gladiolus, wild species. Introduction Albania is a rich country where forests and pastures cover about 51% of the national territory or about 1.43 million ha. There are four phytoclimatic zones, which are composed by very diverse ecosystems. The Albanian diverse flora represents 30% of the all European plant species with 3200 species, presented by 165 families with 910 genuses, where 250 species have medicinal, spice, and aromatic values. In Albania, there are 27 endemic and 150 sub-endemic plant species, while a total of another 160 plant species are sub-endemic in Albania, Kosovo, Greece, Montenegro, Macedonia, etc (Abeshi et al., 2006). In the Red Book (Marku, 2007), 320 plant taxa are considered as threatened or rare. From the floristic point of view, the endemic species constitute around 11%, sub-endemic species 39%, balkan species 11%, sub-balkanic species 4%, and around 35% not balkan species. Some endemic plants of Albanian flora - treasure of the Albanian biodiversity- are Lilium carniolicum Bernh ssp albanicum, Gentiana lutea, Forsythia europea, Colchicum spp, Wulfenia baldacci, Viola cosaninii, Crocus spp., etc (Abeshi et al., 2006; Demiri, 1981). Gladiolus (Gladiolus spp) is one of the most wide sprout ornamental plants of the Iridaceous Family wich is distributed in Mediterranean Europe, Asia, Tropical Africa and South Africa, as wild and cultivated plant. Gladiolus is a very popular of perennial corms flower cultivated in Europe for more than 250 years renowned for their striking colorful flowers. The genus Gladiolus consists on species, mainly native of South Africa (250 species), 10 wild species in the Mediterranean countries, in west and central Europe, and some others in southwest and central Asia. The name Gladiolus is Latin for small sword and refers to the shape of the leaves, thus these plants have been commonly called Sword Lilies and Corn Lilies. These plants are suitable for growing in borders, flowerbeds and containers and are excellent cut flowers, but can be grown in pots indoors as a living flower arrangement. Indoors, consider one of the smaller miniature gladiolus varieties, as these are more suited to pot culture (Alan, 2003; Manning & Goldblatt, 2008; Susaj, 2006). In Albania, gladiolus is a native plant, and it is part of the rich Albanian flora and biodiversity, considered as national wealth. Agrochemical and pedological soil properties and climate factors of our country are

2 suitable for wild and cultivated gladioli. Gladiolus bulbs, in botanical terminology, are referred to as corms. Propagation via corms is the main method of gladiolus cultivation, according to the time we need to have cut flowers (Jani, 2005; Vuksani, 2004)). The flowering stem of gladiolus for cut flowers must be cut when the first flower has bloom, while the other flowers bloom one by one for a long period of time (Goldblatt & Manning, 1998; Susaj, & Jaku, 2008; Dinga, 1985). Materials and Methods The study was carried out during two consecutive years, , in the central part of Albania, focused in Tirana, Dajti Mountain and Mati district. The aim of the study was the identification and denomination of the wild and cultivated gladiolus (Gladiolus spp) in the central part of Albania based on their ornamental characteristics. There were identified the wild species of gladiolus (Gladiolus spp) grown spontaneously in this region and some introduced cultivars from European countries which are being used as decorative plants, and their scientific denomination, based on their ornamental characteristics. The observation, measurement, evaluation, characterization and scientific identification of the spontaneous and cultivated forms of gladiolus were carried out at the different indoor and outdoor environments. In order to identify the location and taking pictures later on, at the blooming period, and for the further evaluation, on April 15 - May 20, each year, there was carried out a descriptive expedition. There were signed the place, cultivation method of gladiolus (potty flower, welts, or open field) and the accompanying decorative and other plants. One other expedition was carried out at the blooming period for the evaluation of the flower characteristics. For the wild species of gladiolus there were observed, measured and evaluated the flowers color, plant height (cm), flower size (cm), flowering period, the place where they were found, the accompanying annual herbaceous and perennial plants, etc. For the cultivated varieties were observed, measured and evaluated these characteristics: flower color (visual and picture view and comparison with the manual); plant height (cm) was measured at the cutting stage from the ground to the flower spike at the flowering time (evaluation: normal, tall, or very tall); stem sturdiness in the point of view of the possible need for support (evaluation: fair, satisfactory, good, excellent); flower size (cm), based on the size of the flower bud diameter, was measured at the flowering stage, (evaluation: miniature, small, normal, large, giant); side-shoots number in addition to the main shoot, indicated as many, considerable, few, minimal; growth speed, which shows how quickly the cultivar grows from planting to the flowering stage compare to other cultivars (evaluation: slow, normal, and fast); suitability for flowering period indoors, outdoors, or in the plastic/glasshouse; and other accompanied outdoors flowers. Measurements of the decorative and ornamental characteristics, description, characterization and identification of gladiolus cultivars were carried out at the flowering/blossom time, at the period May- September, based on the visual view, and on the comparison of the pictures with the specific literature ( Manual for the selection of bulb flower cultivars of International Flower Bulb Centre, Holland, 2005; Dendrology (Marku, 1999), The Excursionist Flora of Albania (Demiri, 1981), The Flora of Tirana (Paparisto, & Qosja, 1974), etc. Results and Discussions Gladiolus (Gladiolus spp) is a very spreaded flower in the central part of Albania, such as Tirana, Dajti s Mountain and Mati district. There were identified four wild species which are grown spontaneously in the natural ecosystems and six cultivated varieties of gladiolus. Wild gladiolus species. Wild gladiolus species found in Tirana and Mati districts were Gladiolus segetum Ker-Gawl, Gladiolus illyricus Koch, Gladiolus palustris Gaud, and Gladiolus communis L. Gladiolus of winter crops (Gladiolus segetum Ker-Gawl) (Fig. 1/a) is a herbaceous perenial plant with uneven bilateral symmetrical bended flowers, placed into a unilateral or distich ear. Anthers are unilateral 2

3 bended and longer than their petioles. Flowers are pink, plant height (flower steam) was cm and blooms at the period April-May. It was found in Linëz, Dajti Mountain, in Peza, etc. Illyric gladiolus (Gladiolus illyricus Koch) (Fig. 1/b) ia a herbaceous perenial plant with anthers shorter than their petioles, inflorescences have flowers placed in distich form, brakts are almost equal to flowers. Flowers color is pink to violet, plant height (flower steam) was cm and blooms at the period May-June. It was found in flinty soils and shruberies in Dajt, Petrelë, and Prezë in Tirana. Marshland gladiolus (Gladiolus palustris Gaud) (Fig. 1/c) is a herbaceous perenial plant with an unilateral inflorescence with 3-6 red to violet colour flowers. Plant height (flower steam) was cm and blooms at the period for May to June. It was found in Mullet, and Pezë e Vogël in Tirana, and in Klos and Shoshaj, Mat, in flinty soils with high humidity. Common gladiolus (Gladiolus communis L.) (Fig. 1/d). Herbaceous perenial plant with an unilateral inflorescence with 6-10 violet colour flowers. Plant height (flower steam) cm and blooms at the period for April to June. It was found in Dajt, Linëz, and Prezë in Tirana, and in Burrel and Lis, Mat, in flinty soils with high humidity. The obtained data are similar to Demiri (1981), Paparisto & Qosja (1974), Marku, (2007), Marku, (1999), etc. The wild gladiolus species were accompanied with annual and perennial herbaceous plants such are lily (Lilium spp), strawberry (Fragaria vesca L), carnation (Dianthus spp), clover (Trifolium spp), aegilopsis (Aegilopsus spp), daisy flower (Bellis perennis), primula (Primula ssp), roses (Rosa canina L), pelargonium (Pelargonium spp), sage (Salvia officinalis L), blackberry (Rubus spp), etc. a) b) c) d) Figure 1. The wild species of gladiolus: a) Gladiolus segetum Ker-Gawl, b) Gladiolus illyricus Koch, c) Gladiolus palustris Gaud, and d) Gladiolus communis L. Cultivated gladiolus cultivars The cultivated gladiolus is very popular and widespread in parks, small gardens and welts of the houses, locals, villas, public institutions and flowerpots of Tirana city and suburban areas of Tirana region. Priscilla (Fig. 2/a) is a large flowered gladiolus cultivar that was found in Vora, near Tirana, cultivated in a glasshouse for cut flowers and to Hotel Continental garden. It was brought from Holland by Kaleshi Company. The flower color was light pink edged with lilac-pink and yellow centre, the mean plant height (flower stem) was tall (135 cm), the sturdiness of the stem was good, the mean flower size was large (12.5 cm), the mean number of side shoots was few (35%), the speed of the growth was normal. It is suitable for outdoors flowering from spring/early summer to autumn (March-November), and in greenhouses it is suitable for flowering during the period June-August, ensuring cut flowers for a long period of time. Jacksonville Gold (Fig. 2/b) is a large flowered gladiolus cultivar that was found in Sauk, near Tirana city, cultivated in a small outdoors garden. It was brought from England by the owner of the villa. The flower was ruffled golden yellow, the mean plant height (flower stem) was tall (127 cm), the sturdiness of the stem was good, the mean flower size was large (13.1 cm), the mean number of side shoots was few (29%), the speed of the growth was slow. It is suitable for outdoors flowering during summer (from June to August) (Table 1). Jessica (Fig. 2/c) is a large flowered gladiolus cultivar that was found to the Hotel Sheraton in Tirana, cultivated in an outdoors garden. It was brought from Holland by Kaleshi Company. The flower color was salmon pink with soft red marking on yellow, the mean plant height (flower stem) was normal (115 cm), 3

4 the sturdiness of the stem was satisfactory, the mean flower size was large (11.9 cm), the mean number of side shoots was considerable (67%), the speed of the growth was fast. It is suitable for outdoors flowering during spring/early summer and early autumn (Table 1). Aubade (Fig. 2/d) is a large flowered gladiolus cultivar that was found in a small garden and welt of a villa, near to film studio in Tirana. It was brought from Holland by Kaleshi Company. The flower color was soft pink with dark pink-creamy marking, the mean plant height (flower stem) was very tall (152 cm), the sturdiness of the stem was good, the mean flower size was large (13.7 cm), the mean number of side shoots was minimal (18%), the speed of the growth was slow. It is suitable for outdoors flowering from spring/early summer to autumn (March-November), and in greenhouses it is suitable for flowering during autumn, from August to November (Table 1). Sussex (Butterfly) (Fig. 2/e) is a small flowered gladiolus cultivar that was found in the garden of the Hotel Continental in Vora, near to Tirana, brought from Holland by Kaleshi Company. The flower color was purple, the mean plant height (flower stem) was normal (132 cm); sturdiness of the stem was good, the mean flower size was normal (10.3 cm), the mean number of side shoots was many (84%), the speed of the growth was normal. It is suitable for outdoors and in greenhouses flowering from spring/early summer, from March to June (Table 1). Charm (Tubergenii) (Fig. 2/f) is a small flowered gladiolus cultivar that was found in a balcony of a villa, near to film-studio in Tirana. It was brought from Greece, years ago, by the owner. The flower color was purple-red with creamy yellow center, the mean plant height (flower stem) was normal (75 cm), the sturdiness of the stem was good, the mean flower size was miniature (6.2 cm), the mean number of side shoots was minimal (8%), the speed of the growth was fast. It is suitable for outdoors flowering from spring/early summer to summer, from March to August, but because of the small flowers it is not recommended for use as ornamental and decorative plant (Table 1). Table 1. The main characteristics of the cultivated gladiolus (mean values) Characteristics Priscilla Jacksonville Gold Colour Light pink Ruffled edged with golden lilac-pink yellow and yellow centre Jessica Aubade Sussex (Butterfly) Salmon pink Soft pink with Purple with soft red dark pinkmarking on creamy yellow marking Charm (Tubergenii) Purple-red with creamy yellow center Plant height Tall Tall Normal Very tall Normal Normal Sturdiness of the stem Good Good Satisfactory Good Good Good Flower size Large Large Large Large Normal Miniature Number of side shoots Few Few Considerable Minimal Many Minimal Speed of growth Normal Slow Fast Slow Normal Fast Suitable for flowering Spring/early summer (March-June) outdoors - outdoors outdoors outdoors/ outdoors /glasshouse glasshouse Summer (June-Aug) outdoors outdoors - outdoors - outdoors Autumn (Aug Nov) outdoors - glasshouse outdoors/ - - /glasshouse glasshouse Winter - - glasshouse no - - Cultivated gladiolus in small gardens and welts were accompanied with other bulbous plants, such are dahlia (Dahlia ssp), hyacinth (Hyacinthus spp), narcissus (Narcissus ssp), tulips (Tulipa spp), lily (Lilium spp), iris (Iris spp), etc, and different ornamental perenial shrubs, or they were cultivated in groups with plants. 4

5 a) b) c) d) e) f) Figure 3. Cultivated gladiolus cultivars: a) Priscilla, b) Jacksonville Gold, c) Jessica, d) Aubade, e) Sussex (Butterfly), and f) Charm (Tubergenii) Conclusions Gladiolus (Gladiolus spp.) is a very important plant of the biodiversity in Tirana region and other parts of central Albania as wild species and cultivated flower. There were identified four wild species of gladiolus, such were Gladiolus of winter crops (Gladiolus segetum Ker-Gawl), Illyric gladiolus (Gladiolus Illyricus Koch), Marshland gladiolus (Gladiolus palustris Gaud), and Common gladiolus (Gladiolus communis L.). The wild gladiolus species were accompanied with annual and perennial herbaceous plants such are lily (Lilium spp), strawberry (Fragaria vesca L), carnation (Dianthus spp), clover (Trifolium spp), aegilopsis (Aegilopsus spp), daisy flower (Bellis perennis), primula (Primula ssp), roses (Rosa canina L), pelargonium (Pelargonium spp), sage (Salvia officinalis L), blackberry (Rubus spp), etc. The cultivated gladiolus is very popular and widespread in parks, small gardens and welts of the houses, locals, villas, public institutions and flowerpots of Tirana city and suburban areas of Tirana region. There were identified six gladiolus cultivars such were Priscilla, Jacksonville Gold, Jessica, Aubade, Sussex (Butterfly), and Charm. Cultivated gladiolus in small gardens and welts were accompanied with other bulbous plants, such are dahlia (Dahlia ssp), hyacinth (Hyacinthus spp), narcissus (Narcissus ssp), tulips (Tulipa spp), lily (Lilium spp), iris (Iris spp), etc, and different ornamental perennial shrubs or they were cultivated in groups with plants together. References Abeshi P, Dedej Z, Dragoti N (2006) Biodiversity treasure. Publication of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Water Administration: pp Alan T (2003) Flowers : pp Demiri M (1981) Excursionist Flora of Albania : pp Dinga L (1985) Floriculture : pp , Goldblatt P & Manning JC (1998) Gladiolus in Southern Africa: Systematics, Biology, and Evolution. Fernwood Press, Cape Town. International Flower Bulb Centre, Holland (2005) Manual for selection of bulb flower cultivars Mediterranean edition (second edition): pp Jani V (2005) Flowers and ornamental plants for houses, gardens and villas : pp 66. Manning J & Goldblatt P (2008) The Iris Family: Natural History & Classification. Portland, Oregon: Timber Press: pp Marku H (2007) Red Book of Albanian Flora : Publication of Ministry of EFWA: pp 136. Marku V (1999) Dendrology (students teaching material): pp Paparisto K & Qosja Xh (1974). The Flora of Tirana : pp Susaj L (2006) Lectures of floriculture: pp Susaj L & Jaku Gj (2008) Cultivation and exposition of ornamental plants : pp Vuksani Gj (2004) Floriculture cultivation of flowers (second edition): pp 15-16,