ALOCASIA ‘CHANTRIERII’
Alocasia cuprea x Alocasia sanderiana
PARENTAGE: Alocasia cuprea x Alocasia sanderiana
SYNONYMS: Alocasia ‘Bayeriana’, Alocasia ‘Chantrieri’, Alocasia ‘Chantrieriana’, Alocasia ‘Leopoldii’, Alocasia ‘Splendens’
ORIGINAL DESCRIPTION:
Folia supra metallice nitide, costa nervisque lateralibus primariis albidis, ovato-cordata margine profundiuscule sinuato-undulata; lobi postici circ. dimidium antici aequantes, ultra medium connati, reliqua parte sinu angusto acuto sejuncti
“Adaxial surface is metallically shiny, with a whitish midrib and primary lateral veins, ovate-cordate with a somewhat deeply sinuate-undulate margin; the posterior lobes are approximately half the size of the anterior ones, fused beyond the midpoint, separated by a narrow acute sinus in the remaining part."
Alocasia ‘Bayeriana’ - Das Pflanzenreich 70-71(1919-1920)
HYBRIDIZER: Alocasia ‘Chantrierii’ came from the nursery of the famous Chantrier brothers (Chantrier Frères, Adolphe and Ernest Chantrier), in Mortefontaine, France
VARIEGATION: WHITE, YELLOW MOTTLED, WHITE MOTTLED
INFLORESCENCE: N/A
NOTES:
In some literature sources, the parentage is incorrectly listed as Alocasia indica var. metallica (now Alocasia macrorrhizos ‘Plumbea’) x Alocasia sanderiana. This confusion likely arose around the epithet metallica, which it shares with Alocasia cuprea (previously known as Alocasia metallica)
Alocasia ‘Bayeriana’, now subsumed under Alocasia ‘Chantrierii’, appears to have shared the same parentage, but is likely a recreation of the original cross. The Viennese Garden Paper (Wiener Illustrirte Garten Zeitung) first mentioned this hybrid in November 1905.
“One breed comes from Mr. A. Bayer, court gardener, who succeeded in crossing two Alocasia species that were already beautiful in themselves. The product of the crossing, Alocasia ‘Bayeriana’ hort inherited a lot from the parents. The bulges on the leaves come from Alocasia sanderiana, while the metallic shine and the veining from Alocasia metallica (Alocasia cuprea). The jury consisting of head gardener Josef Fiedler, inspector court gardener F. A. Vogel, Dr. Rich. Wagner and Prof Dr. A. Zahlbruckner, recognized the award of an honorary diploma to court gardener Bayer and a silver medal for his foreman Mr. Hattasch. The jury noted in the minutes that this hybrid should surpass both progenitors because of its rapid growth and beautiful leaves.”
In February 1906, the Austrian Garden Paper (Österreichische Garten Zeitung) published one of the only photos of Alocasia ‘Bayeriana’, along with photos of its parents.
“There are numerous hybrids of the genus Alocasia, but breeders are always able to produce new, more beautiful forms. We had already taken the opportunity in the "Wiener Illustrierte Garten-Zeitung" to give an approximate description of the above-mentioned plant on the occasion of the award ceremony. But words are never able to awaken the right idea in the reader! Today we are therefore bringing the illustrations of the two main plants as well as those of the hybrids, which was made possible for us by the friendly welcome of the editors of the "Zeitschrift für Gartner und Gartenfreunde". We refrain from describing the parents, who are well-known to our readers, namely the shiny metallic Alocasia cuprea (metallica) and the silvery Alocasia sanderiana, since their leaf shape is also evident in the picture below.
The hybrid itself, as shown in the figure, is more inclined in leaf form to the former, while the serrations and veining are clearly indicative of the latter. Elegant, rapid growth will ensure rapid distribution of the plant. In any case, the breeder is to be congratulated on the success; may the same inspire him to further experiments.”
Photo by Padee.Plants
