A Newly Emerging Potential Cut Flower of Lisianthus (Eustoma grandiflorum) in Tamil Nadu: A Review
Abstract
Lisianthus, botanically known as Eustoma grandiflorum, is a member of the Gentianaceae family with a chromosome number of 2n = 36. It is native to the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains in the United States and is referred to as the prairie gentian. Lisianthus is an herbaceous annual plant that can reach up to a height of 15 to 60 cm and has slightly succulent, bluish-green leaves. It produces funnel-shaped flowers that grow on long, straight stems. The flowers can occasionally grow upright on solitary stems or on branching stems. The flowers come in a range of hues and can go up to two inches in diameter. Lisianthus sepals are significantly smaller than petals and are only united toward the base. It comes in a variety of cultivars with varied patterns of colours. Lisianthus has gained widespread consumer appeal worldwide due to its exceptional keeping quality and a wide range of colours, including purple, rose, pink, white, and bicolour. Owing to its blue flowers, excellent post-harvest life, and rose-like blooms, lisianthus is a relatively new floral crop on the international market and is considered one of the top ten cut flowers. Leading nations that are producing Eustoma are Japan and New Zealand. A single type dominated the marketplaces in America, Europe, and Japan. Double types are preferred more in Australia. In Tamil Nadu, the lisianthus flower has just recently bloomed. It is now possible to produce lisianthus on a modest scale in Tamil Nadu.