Hymenocallis salisb. germination variants and seedling yield

The genus Hymenocallis Salisb. is represented in Mexico by 29 species. Some are well adapted to xeric conditions others belong to meso-hydrophytes. The first group is characterized by caduceus leaves and the second is perennifolious. The seeds of all tested species or accessions germinated shortly after harvest (in a few days and up to in 2-6 weeks) during storage in paper bags. Seed number per infrutescence varied with species or accession. The species and accessions were found to present two modes of germination. The first, found in the xeric group (caduceus leaves) gave between one to many embryonic roots, each having the capacity to terminate with a bulbil. This bulbil was forced by contractile roots into deeper soil layers and entered a deep dormancy period. Both attributes enabled such bulbil to survive the dry season. Such bulbils are named survival bulbils. In the next rainy season they formed feeder roots and primary leaves. The number of survival bulbils formed per seed varied from 1 to 5. Seeds of meso-hydrophytes gave only one embryonic root terminated with a leafy and rooted bulbil of continuous growth. Seeds of the first group gave, generally, two plants per one seed or more; those of the second group gave only one plant. Plants of the second group grew faster, presenting uninterrupted growth. Attributes of these two groups of germination variants and growth may be of interest to horticulturists and to consumers.