Think your flowers have a healthy glow? Try these bioluminescent Firefly Petunias
Gardeners who are always looking for something new and different will be interested in the introduction of the Firefly Petunia. This unusual plant produces green light.
This petunia sports white blossoms by day, but at night it glows, the result of gene splicing with certain mushrooms. Released in June by the U.S. company Light Bio, the genetically modified petunia gets its name from earlier research using fireflies.
Flower's name taken from fireflies
Fireflies, glowworms and certain fish, jellyfish, plankton, fungi and bacteria naturally display bioluminescence, which is used to lure prey, warn predators and communicate within the same species. However, this does not naturally occur in plants.
Initially, researchers considered fireflies the most likely route for producing bioluminescence in plants. That research was commercially unsuccessful, and the scientists have since turned to gene splicing in petunias by using four different key fungal genes, each with a specific purpose.
“If you look at the biochemical details of how mushrooms make light, there is a great deal of similarity between that and how the basic metabolism in plants work,” Light Bio’s President Wood said.
Petunias are not an invasive species
Plus, petunias are not considered an invasive species, so the chances of spreading modified genes to native plants are slim.
Company representatives explained, “Our Firefly Petunias are protected under patent, and as such, propagation and breeding are not permitted. These petunias are sold exclusively for personal use.”
This new commercial introduction is pricey. A small-rooted plant in a 4-inch pot is $29 and is only available online. Shipping is an additional $24. Regardless, 55,000 plants were pre-ordered and are being shipped from the company’s Michigan greenhouse.
Light Bio has other ideas for petunias, too. Currently offering only white flowers, the company would like to produce petunias with different-colored flowers, stripes and an even brighter glow.
Success with these petunias could expand to glowing roses, glowing houseplants, glowing bouquets and even flowers that light up when touched.
Christine Michael is a Master Gardener with the Sandusky and Ottawa Counties Extension Offices.
This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Think your flowers have a healthy glow? Try bioluminescent petunias
