University develops marbled poinsettia

University of Illinois plant scientist Daniel Warnock is developing a natural mutation of the poinsettia variety Premium Picasso. The marbled sport, which produces bracts with unusual watercolor shades of pink, red and white, is currently genetically unstable.

Of the 50 plants that Warnock is working with, he will select two to three that have the desired percentage of mixed colors. He will take cuttings to try to produce a predictable, commercially reproducible plant.

For the last five years, Warnock has been working with researchers at Kansas State University and Tennessee State University to trial varieties for breeders.

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For more: Daniel Warnock, University of Illinois, 1029 Plant Science Lab, MC-634, 1201 S. Dorner Drive, Urbana, IL 61801; (217) 244-9380; dwarnock@uiuc.edu; www.aces.uiuc.edu/news/stories/news3836.html.