Antirrhinum majus

src: www.public.asu.edu

Antirrhinum majus ( ordinary snapdragon ; often - especially in horticulture - only "snapdragon" ) is a plant flowering species belonging to genus Antirrhinum . The plant was placed in Plantaginaceae family after the previous classic family revision, Scrophulariaceae. This comes from the Mediterranean region, from Morocco and northern Portugal to southern France, and east to Turkey and Syria. The common name "snapdragon", derived from the reaction of flowers for their throat depressed, which causes the "mouth" of flowers open like a dragon's mouth.

Video Antirrhinum majus

Description

It is an annual herbaceous plant, growing up to 0.5-1 m, rarely up to 2 m. The leaves are arranged in a spiral, lance-shaped, 1-7 cm long and 2-2.5 cm wide. The flowers are produced with high spikes, each flower 3.5-4.5 cm, zigomorphic, with two 'lips' closing the corolla tube; Wild plants have pink flowers to purple, often with yellow lips. The fruit is an ovoid capsule of 10-14 mm in diameter, containing many small seeds. Plants are pollinated by bees, and the flowers cover the insects as they enter and store pollen on their bodies.

Maps Antirrhinum majus

Taxonomy

There are five subspecies:

• Antirrhinum majus subsp. magi . Southern France, northeast of Spain.
• Antirrhinum majus subsp. cirrhigerum (Ficalho) Franco. Southern Portugal, southwest Spain.
• Antirrhinum majus subsp. linkianum (Boiss. & amp; Reut.) Rothm. Western Portugal (endemic).
• Antirrhinum majus subsp. litigiosum (Pau) Rothm. Southeast Spain.
• Antirrhinum majus subsp. tortuosum (Bosc) Rouy. Across all species ranges.

src: st3.depositphotos.com

Cultivation

Antirrhinum Magi to some extent can survive in winter and higher temperatures, but best at temperatures around 17-25 Â ° C. Night temperature of about 15-17 Â ° C encourages growth in both apical meristems and stems of A. majus . This species can grow well from seeds, flowering rapidly in 3 to 4 months. It can also be planted through cutting.

Though timeless, the species is often cultivated as a biennial or annual plant, especially in colder areas where it can not survive in winter. Many cultivars are available, including plants with lavender, orange, pink, yellow, or white flowers, as well as plants with floral flowers, where normal flowering spikes are topped with symmetrical single flowers. The 'Bronze Bronze Flower Bronze' cultivation and 'Montego Pink' have been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society of Garden Merit

Variance (creep) is often referred to as A. majus pendula (syn. A. pendula , A. repens ).

This often escapes cultivation, and the naturalized population occurs extensively in northern Europe from the original range, and elsewhere in temperate regions of the world.

src: upload.wikimedia.org

Model research organism

In the laboratory it is a model organism, for example containing the DEFICIENS gene that provides the letter "D" in the MADS-box acronym for an important gene family in plant development. Antirrhinum majus has been used as a model organism in biochemistry and developmental genetics for nearly a century. Many characteristics of A. majus make it desirable as model organisms; this includes the diploid heritage, the ease of cultivation (having a relatively short generation time of about 4 months), the ease of both self-pollination and cross-pollination, and A. majus in morphology and flowering colors. It also benefits from the difference from Arabidopsis thaliana , with A. thaliana used as a general eudicot model, has been used to compare against A. majus in the study development.

Studies at A. majus have also been used to show that, at high temperatures, DNA methylation is not vital in suppressing Tam3 ​​transposons. Previously, it was suggested that DNA methylation was important in this process, this theory derived from a comparison of the degree of methylation when transposition was active and inactive. However, A. magi Tam3 ​​â € <â €

Antirrhinum Magi has also been used to examine the relationship between pollinators and plants. With the debate about the evolutionary advantages of cone-shaped petals shape, with arguments showing either improved shape and intensified flower color or assisted in directing pollinators through sight or touch. The benefit that A. majus is carried out is through the identification of mutations at the MIXTA locus which prevents the shape of this cone-shaped petals, allowing the testing of pollination plants with and without the cone petals as well as the ratio of light absorption between the two groups. With the MIXTA genes required in the formation of cone cells, the use of genes in antirrhinum breeding is very important, and allows for tests that show why many plants produce conical epidermal cells.

Another role of A. Majus plays in examining the relationship between pollinators and plants in the study of floral scents. Two of the A. enzymes of majus, phenylpropanoid and isoprenoid, are used in the study of the production of floral scents and aroma effects on attracting pollinators.

src: thumbs.dreamstime.com

Chemistry

Antirrhinin is an anthocyanin found in A. majus . This is a 3-routineide of cyanidin.

src: onlineflowersworld.com

Pests and Diseases

Antirrhinum Magi may suffer from some pests and diseases.

Pests

Insects are the main pests that affect A. majus .

• Aphids: They target and consume the growth of the terminal and the bottom of the leaf. Aphids consume liquids in the plant and can cause dark or visible appearance on the leaves.
• Frankliniella occidentalis : This insect affects even strong and healthy growth Antirrhinum ; they are usually seen in newly opened flowers. They will cause a small reduction in the buds and flower buds of A. majus and remove the pollen from the anther. This case is difficult to treat, but can be stored with the predatory mite Neoseiulus .

Disease

Antirrhinum Magi mostly suffer from fungal infections.

• Anthraknose: Diseases caused by fungi of the genus Colletotrichum . The disease targets leaves and stems causing them to yellow with brown borders to the infected site. It is recommended to destroy infected plants and existing spaces that are further apart.
• Botrytis : Also known as Gray Mold, this infection occurs under the interest of A. majus . Botrytis causes the delinquency of the thorns of flowers and causes a light brown color from the stalks under the cluster of flowers. Botrytis causes rapid and localized drying and browning on the flowers, leaves, and shoots of A. majus . In warmer weather, Botrytis becomes more server. Botrytis treatment involves cutting off the infected stock and clearing the surrounding area of ​​ A. majus of the debris.
• Pythium : Wilting at the plant may be caused by a fungal infection of Pythium species if the plant receives enough water.
• Rust: Other fungal diseases that are A. Magi are susceptible to rust. First of all can be seen on the plant as a light green circle, on the stem or the bottom of the leaves, which eventually turns brown and forms a pustule. Rust can cause A. Magi to bloom prematurely, produce a smaller flower, and initiate the previous decay.
• Rod rot: Fungal infections, can be seen as the growth of cotton on the stem, low, near the ground. If infected, it is recommended that the plant be destroyed.

src: www.exoplantus.com

References

Source of the article : Wikipedia