Leaf colour patterns, vegetative and sexual reproduction of Episcia ...

14000
50
Incoming light (Lux)
12000
10000
8000
6000
4000
2000
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
Temperature (°C)
0
0
08:00
09:00
10:00
11:00
12:00
13:00
14:00
15:00
16:00
17:00
18:00
Figure 4 Incoming light (black) and temperature (gray) shown to illustrate the conditions in
which the plant did spread; the highest value of incoming light was 13000 Lux; the highest
temperature of the day 43,4 °C.
Discussion: The usage of stolons seems to be a good alternative to sexual reproduction. The
combination from sexual and vegetative propagation is clearly successful. Via sexual reproduction
Episcia lilacina can reach a new habitat where it establishes itself quickly via stolon development.
Altogether, this is to be considered a very successful strategy of spreading.
Leaf Colouration
Another important issue that will be considered in this work is the natural polymorphism in
leaf colours of Episcia lilacina. A wide range of leaf colouration and leaf patterns from bright green
to dark red can be observed. These patterns are caused probably by one or more anthocyanins.
The basic colour of the leaves is bright green. Areas, where larger amounts of anthocyanins are
developed, appear dark red. In this chapter a classification of the different types of leaves was
created.
Materials and Methods: The applied classification is based on the green to red relation
within the leaves. There is always just one type of pattern present in one plant meaning all leaves
of a single plant can be assigned to a single type.
At every investigation spot one sample of each kind of leaf was taken and photographed to
get a complete collection of all morphs. The leaves are photographed with the underside up in
transmitted light, thereby the colouration can be seen clearer.
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