Holarrhena floribunda

Why are the seeds of this species difficult? The seeds may have physiological dormancy, which can be overcome by mimicking the seasonal patterns of the species' native habitat.

Holarrhena floribunda (Image: S. Wood, RBG Kew)

Seed Storage

This species has Orthodox seeds - dry to 15-20% eRH and store at -20ºC, or as cool as possible.

Germination Requirements

Germinate on agar, germination paper or sand at 21ºC.

The seeds of this species may be Physiologically Dormant (based on members of the same family). If germination is low, overcome dormancy by mimicking the seasonal patterns of the species' native habitat. Use a moist pre-chill or pre-heat treatment (depending on local climatic conditions) or a dry after-ripening treatment, before germinating the seeds on agar, germination paper or sand at their optimum temperature. If this does not work, you can perform delicate surgery to enable the embryo to grow. Excise the tissue near the root tip.

Seed Morphology

Holarrhena floribunda
(Image: S. Wood, RBG Kew)

Taxonomy

Family: APOCYNACEAE

Accepted name: Holarrhena floribunda (Don) T.Durand & Schinz

Synonyms: Holarrhena africana A.DC., Holarrhena wulfsbergii Stapf, Rondeletia floribunda G.Don

Common name:

References and Links

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (1994). Genebank Standards. FAO/IPGRI, Rome, Italy.

AFPD (African Flowering Plants Database) - Conservatoire et Jardin Botaniques de la Ville de Genève, Switzerland and South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria, RSA: Holarrhena floribunda.
PROTAbase (Plant Resources of Tropical Africa) - Wageningen, Netherlands: Holarrhena floribunda.
SID (Seed Information Database) - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK: Holarrhena floribunda.
Tropicos - Missouri Botanical Garden, USA: Holarrhena floribunda.