THE IMPORTANCE OF ASIA-ORIGINATED PLANTS TO THE GROWTH OF THE FOLIAGE PLANT INDUSTRY

Foliage plant production is one of the fastest growing agricultural enterprises in the U.S. The wholesale value of foliage plants in the U.S. has risen from $13 million in 1949 to $574 million in 2000. The rapid growth of the foliage plant industry is in part attributed to the technological advances in production, but the introduction of a multitude of diverse plant species and/or cultivars has kept consumers’ interest in and market demand for foliage plants expanding. Currently, at least 100 genera, 500 species, and probably more than 1,000 cultivars are produced as foliage plants. Of which at least 40 genera are native to Asia. The introduction of Asian-originated Aspidistra, Codiaeum, Cordyline, Epipremnum, Ficus, Hoya, Begonia, and Sansevieria in early 1900s helped lay the foundation of the industry. Later introduced Aglaonema, Schefflera, Alocasia, Spathiphyllum, and other Asia-native genera contributed substantially to the industry’s growth and development. Rich germplasm in Southeast Asia provides valuable genetic resources for new plant introduction and new cultivar development for continuous growth of the industry.

XXVI International Horticultural Congress: Asian Plants with Unique Horticultural Potential: Genetic Resources, Cultural Practices, and Utilization

J. Chen, D.B. McConnell, R.J. Henny

Aglaonema, Aspidistra, Codiaeum, Epipremnum, Ficus, foliage plants, Schefflera, Spathiphyllum

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2003.620.47