Propagation and ex-situ conservation of Lomelosia minoana subsp. minoana and Scutellaria hirta - two ornamental and medicinal Cretan endemics (Greece)

Human needs and concomitant commercial trade to date trigger the demand of new ornamental plants and new natural medicinal products. The current study includes preliminary seed germination trials and presents the development of effective vegetative propagation protocols for Lomelosia minoana subsp. minoana (Dipsacaceae) and Scutellaria hirta (Lamiaceae), both globally rare, local endemics of Crete (Greece) with potential ornamental and medicinal value. Based on material collected directly from the wild, seed germination was succeeded (38%, T50: 10.74) only for L. minoana subsp. minoana. The optimal indole-3-butyric acid concentrations for effective rooting of cuttings were 2000 mg L-1 for L. minoana subsp. minoana (85%) and 4000 mg L-1 for S. hirta (50%). Seasonal differences were observed in respective rooting rates of the studied taxa. The detected rooting rates for L. minoana subsp. minoana cuttings are above standards to allow possible commercial application in the ornamental industry. Although the detected rooting rate (50%) for S. hirta was adequate for its ex situ conservation, it seems almost marginal for future commercial application and further investigation is needed. The sustainable utilization of these Cretan endemics studied herein provides new input for the ornamental-horticultural and cosmetic-pharmaceutical industries. This study shows how rare and endemic wild plant species can be progressively domesticated and introduced into sustainable cultivation systems in order to avoid the depletion of unique phytogenetic resources.