Characterization of Eremurus plants for ornamental purposes

Abstract

Eremurus genus (Liliaceae family), originating in Western and Central Asia, is known as foxtail lilies or desert candles. These spectacular plants resemble giant candles, due to their height and the hundreds of small flowers in cylindrical racemes. Eremurus is admired for its beautiful stems that are clothed for half their length in flowers. Except the ornamental importance, plants of this genus also have uses in other fields(especially in pharmacology and nutrition, but also in the production of glues, bio-oils or other products).The foxtail lilies are among the most spectacular specimen perennials, but, despite its high ornamental potential, they arestill little known in the cut flower market and so seldom seen in our gardens.Thispaper presents several taxaof Eremurus genus, respectivelythree species (E. himalaicus Baker,E. robustusRegel, E. stenophyllus (Boiss. & Buhse) Bak.)and three cultivars ofEremurusx isabellinus hybrid(‘Romance’, ‘Cleopatra’, ‘Pinokkio’), which are growingin floral collection from UASVM Iaşi.