Monday, August 1, 2011

Have you heard of Chimera?

I wonder if you have heard of the word "chimera or chimeras" in relation to plants! It originated from Greek mythology of a legendary beast made up of parts of several different animals. In plants, it usually refers to single organisms composed of two genetically different types of tissues. We commonly refer or use the word 'variegation' instead of chimera. This condition either appears naturally as mutations or induced in the laboratory in tissue culture or through genetic manipulations. Ornamental plants usually increase its aesthetic value with these conditions. 

White portions without chlorophyll cannot stand alone without the presence of tissues with green food manufacturing structures. Hence, these variegated plants are normally slower in growth than normally green plants. The following photos show some common plants with chimeric characteristics. 

Top and below photos show that even the inflorescence show some variegation.


Caladium is a very beautiful example of plants with chimera. These are just a few of the variegation evolving in this genus. 
The above variegated plants are now famous as landscaping materials.  top left: Picara (Excoecaria cochinchinensis); bottom left: bougainvillea; the 3 i forgot the names

Propagation in these plants is usually best carried out through asexual or vegetative means. Sexual reproductions will not produce the desired characteristics. I had posted before the bougainvillea with both white and red flowers as in Bougainvillea sp. 'Mary Palmer'. I said that to get both colors, the stem with white flowers should be used. Otherwise, if stem with red colors will be planted, mostly red flowers will show in the newly propagated plant. This also happens in leaf propagation of variegated Sansevieria species with green and yellow leaf margins (below). Since the plantlet sprouts from the base of the middle portion of the leaf where the midrib is, then only the green color will develop in the plantlet. Therefore, in this types only runners or suckers must be used in propagation to get those with yellow margins. I have tried many times using this leaves, and only green plantlets develop from leaves.


The plants shown above are all in our property, and the caladiums are just growing anywhere as volunteer plants.

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25 comments:

  1. I have heard of Chimera, but this was a very interesting and informative post.

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  2. Hi Andrea, Very interesting post... I've heard of variegation but never chimera... I tried to grow caladium here one year --but they didn't do well. I do grow hostas. They aren't as pretty ---but I still like them.

    Great post. Thanks.
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  3. I had not heard of chimera in relation to plants! Thank you for the new information! And what a selection of plants you have, if all of these are on your property!

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  4. Thank you. I learn a new word today. The Caladium varieties are beautiful. Mine didn't survive but I am not regrowing any since they are poisonous and I have dogs food tasting every now and then.

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  5. Great information in this post and I enjoyed all the photographs.

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  6. Hello Andrea! Good information on chimera and beautiful pictures of the plants especially the caladium. Thanks and have a great day.

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  7. Great post. This is my first time to hear about chimera in relation to plants. You have beautiful plants especially the caladium.

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  8. thanks for teaching me a new term - chimera. And I also love your collages - aren't they fun to make?
    Often when i have planted chimera plants they seem to revert after a while.

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  9. I have not heard of chimera in relation to plants-only as an outside fireplace. Its a very pretty part of the plants.

    The two lines in the picture were: one is a dog tie out and the other is a rope that goes over our roof for us to hold on to in case we have to go on our roof. We just had a new roof put on and are still having a few problems. They are unsightly I know but functional.

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  10. Thank you for this very informative and interesting post. Now I know what (and what not) to do when propagating veriegated plants.

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  11. Interesting. I didn't know variegated plants were slower growers, I certainly have not noticed it although your explanation makes sense...

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  12. What a fascinating post. I never heard of chimera. My mother grew caladiums for years as houseplants.

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  13. An informative post. Never heard of Chimera. Something learned.

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  14. So very interesting. There are so many variegated plants which I am very fond of, however I had not previously heard it referred to as chimera.Thanks for the information.

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  15. Hey everyone, please don't mind the term, i am sure the botanists or those who have subjects related to plants know very well about chimera. I am just trying to know who among us have been formally bombarded with terms early in these plant dealings. Unfortunately, someone I know do, did not drop by here this time. Phil Gates! haha.

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  16. It had been a while since I'd read that a variegated plant is synonymous with chimeras. It's such a cool concept!! I've had some of my variegated plants revert back to green if they didn't get enugh sun, shade, etc. The US from Texas to the east coast would like all of your rain, please!! :o)

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  17. The caladium is my dad's favourite but I haven't plant any yet. I have the MIL tongue, bougainvilea and hibiscus chimera in my garden.

    Andrea, this is strange. I actually plan my next post on a chimera but you already beat me to it ;>)!

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  18. Variegated leaves are often very beautiful. I cannot imagine Caladium being a volunteer. Sounds like heaven!

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  19. a very beautiful post Andrea. i always learned something new here when I visit you. Thank you.

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  20. New term for me and a big thank you, dear Andrea. Stunning/informative post. Thank you for sharing.

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  21. I just love your style and the wonderful photography. Thanks for finding me cos now I have found you too!

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  22. You are amazing, Andrea... a fountain of information... No, chimera related to plants was not in my vocabulary. Great post.

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  23. Hi Andrea, I love your blog..it's very interesting and informative! I have only heard of chimeras in relation to flower patterns, specifically the pinwheel markings on african violet flowers. I didn't know it can refer to foliage too..

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  24. Finally, I posted about my hibiscus chimera which I wanted to do but procrastinated until you did a chimera post before me ...
    I link to you in my post dated 20 Aug 2011, hehehe.

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Your comments inspire me to post more, and our conversations make life and gardening more meaningful.

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