B. ‘Mini-Mini-Iron’

B. ‘Mini-Mini-Iron’ was exposed to 1 kR
Cobalt-60 gamma-rays. It became a very small
and dwarfish plant with a red-brown stripe on its
tiny leaves instead of the signature purple-brown cross that B. masoniana is known for. B. ‘Mini-
Mini-Iron’ was the other experiment that resulted
in a chimeric mutation.

Using a 60Co-7 source, adventitious buds of leaf cuttings were irradiated at a dose rate of 500 R/hr, with a total dose of 1 kR (1971). Branch mutations were confirmed by pruning, separation by division, and stabilization was confirmed in 1974.

The leaves are a pale yellowish-green color with a reddish-brown stripe in the center and dark green along the serrated edges. The leaves are remarkably small, measuring 4-8 cm in length and 3-5 cm in width, with a distorted heart shape. There are many small notches along the edge. They are also 5-10cm tall and prefer humid places. They have a cute appearance. Propagation method: division (stable chimeric plants). Because it is extremely small, it is ideal as an indoor houseplant grown in small pots or jars.

• Classification: Cultivar
• Plant Type: Rhizomatous
• Origin: Asia, Japan
• Originator: Naoki Matsubara & Hirokatsu Suda
• Date of Origin: 1974