ABSTRACT
The snapdragon (Antirrhinum majus L.) is an erect, herbaceous perennial with lanceolate, entire leaves, opposite at the base but becoming spirally arranged in the upper parts of the stem. It has zygomorphic flowers in terminal, bracteate racemes and is a member of the family Scrophulariaceae. Its progenitors were probably natives of the Mediterranean region. Snapdragons can be propagated asexually by means of stem cuttings but they are normally grown from seed in commerce. Numerous cultivars exist, mostly diploids (2n = 16), though tetraploids are known, and many of those introduced for cut-flower production under protection are F, hybrids. The snapdragon has been an important flower crop in the U.S. but it has recently declined in importance there and is not widely grown in northern Europe. Details of its cultivation as a year-round, greenhouse crop have been summarized recently by Rogers. 1
