○ Gyeonggi-do Agricultural Research and Extension Services Develops “Red Pang,” a New Species of Year-Round Flowering Crown-of-thorns

– 21 New Species Developed since 2000 Including “Panoramas” and “Dual Pinks”

The Gyeonggi-do Agricultural Research and Extension Services (GARES) announced on February 25 that it developed “Red Pang,” a new species of Crown-of-thorns, a year-round flowering succulent plant.

As a euphorbia, what appears to be the Crown-of-thorns plant’s flowers are actually bracts in which the plant’s actual flowers are hidden.

With sufficient sunshine, water, and nutrients, even a home-grown Crown-of-thorns blooms all year round. The colors of its bracts vary — red, pink, white, and more — and the plant can be propagated from cuttings. While you can find this plant any time of the year at a flower shop, it is generally sold in March. The plant is gaining popularity among consumers as it also easily tolerates high temperatures.

Since 2000, GARES has continuously been developing new species of Crown-of-thorns that are tailored to consumer preferences. So far, it has distributed 21 species to horticultural farms, including “Panoramas,” with bracts that slowly turn from green to pink, and “Dual Pinks,” with bi-colored bracts.

Red Pang, the new species developed this year, has a higher ornamental value as its bracts and leaves show stronger pigmentation than those of the ordinary red species that are commonly sold in flower markets. Additionally, it offers better use of indoor space thanks to its compact shape that features a large number of branches, potentially guaranteeing its competitiveness against existing red species.

The new species will be distributed to qualifying organizations, such as seed businesses and farms, through which it will then be mass produced and sold to decorate consumers’ homes.

GARES head Kim Seok-cheol commented, “We hope that the development of new species of Crown-of-thorns will contribute to a change in the trends of the domestic flower market and the expansion of the potted flower market.” He added, “We will help increase the income of horticultural farms and the competitiveness of domestic species by continuously developing and distributing new species.”