ALOCASIA ‘PUCCIANA’
Alocasia longiloba ‘Putzeysii’ x Alocasia longiloba ‘Korthalsii’
PARENTAGE: Alocasia longiloba ‘Putzeysii’ x Alocasia longiloba ‘Korthalsii’ (listed in literature as Alocasia ‘Putzeysii’ (ovule) x Alocasia ‘Thibautiana’). The reverse of this cross was also successful and published as Alocasia ‘Luciani’ (Alocasia longiloba ‘Korthalsii’ x Alocasia longiloba ‘Putzeysii’)
Illustrations of hybrid parents Alocasia ‘Putzeysii’ and Alocasia longiloba 'Korthalsii' (listed as ‘Thibautiana’ historically)
SYNONYMS: likely the same plant/cross as Alocasia ‘Kerchoveana’ which is listed in literature to have the same parents, and was introduced approximately three years later, in 1890
HYBRIDIZER: Mr. Ferdinando Ragionieri, head of the greenhouses of the city of Florence; hybridized in 1884 and introduced in 1885 (see below). He dedicated the hybrid to Mr. Angiolo Pucci, director of the parks and gardens of Florence.
Some literary sources have added the ‘Luciani’ epithet later in 1887, and the plant began being known as ‘Alocasia Luciani x Pucci’ though it is unclear who Mr. Lucien was.
VARIEGATION: N/A
DESCRIPTION:
Journal de la Société d'Horticulture de France Serie III. T.XII (1890) P.224
“Alocasia ‘Pucciana’ stands out with its petiole channeled, cylindrical, of a deep crimson red color, marked by irregular and undulating zones, distinct from those of Alocasia longiloba ‘Putzeysii’; at the top, these sheaths disappear. The leaf blade of the plant is peltate-sagittate, but more oval and less sagittate than Alocasia longiloba ‘Putzeysii’; it measures in length 0.50 m and in width 0.25 m. The color of the upper side is dark green; the median rib and primary veins are prominent, edged with white, and are themselves of a brilliant silvery white. The veins of a pure white are also surrounded by a silver white zone, forming a network of a charming aspect. The entire leaf blade is edged with white on a width of about 0.003 m. The lower side is of a uniform purplish color, glossy. This beautiful Aroid has been obtained in June 1885, in the municipal gardens of Florence; the plant is due to the artificial fertilization of Alocasia longiloba ‘Putzeysii’ by the pollen of Alocasia longiloba ‘Korthalsii’"
INFLORESCENCE: N/A
HYBRIDS: Alocasia ‘Pucciana’ was further used in multiple crosses:
Alocsasia ‘Argyreia’ - Alocasia longiloba x Alocasia ‘Pucciana’
Alocasia ‘Conspicua’ - Alocasia odora x Alocasia ‘Pucciana’
Alocasia ‘Gibba’ - Alocasia ‘Pucciana’ x Alocasia ‘Argyrea’
Alocasia ‘Martin Cahuzac’ - Alocasia longiloba ‘Korthalsii’ x Alocasia ‘Pucciana’
