ABSTRACT
The genus Calceolaria L. (Scrophulariaceae) is comprised of some 500 herbaceous and shrub-like plants found in the mountainous areas of South America from Chile to Mexico. The much inflated pouched flower of many shades of yellow, orange, red, and spotted makes calceolaria a popular house plant. “Calceolaria-Hybriden” has been suggested as a collective name. Traditionally, calceolaria has been considered a low-temperature crop for winter production. Calceolaria traditionally have been thought to require temperatures below 15°C for floral induction.9 Based on trials during the short-day of winter. Calceolaria floral induction is also influenced by photoperiod. Supplementary lighting in the winter with intermittant artificial light at night was found to hasten flowering and development of Calceolaria and it was early classified as a long-day plant. “Phyllody” is a phenomenon often observed in Calceolaria and seems to be a result of incomplete flower induction or reversion to vegetative development under conditions favorable for vegetative growth.
