Interspecific Hybrids between Veronica ornata Monjuschko and V. ogurae (T. Yamaz.) Albach Native in Shimane Prefecture, Japan and their Characteristics

Abstract

For the purposes of utilizating genetic resources and conserving endangered endemic Japanese species, interspecific hybrids between Veronica ornata Monjuschko (Plantaginaceae) and V. ogurae (T. Yamaz.) Albach in Shimane Prefecture were created. In the reciprocal crossings, hybrid seeds were obtained from only the cross involving V. ornata as the seed parent and V. ogurae as the pollen parent. The expected number of obtained seeds on interspecific crossing was 0.5 per flower. The hybridity of the obtained seedlings was confirmed as the original bands were inherited from both parents in the SRAP method. In the characterization of the parents and their 92 hybrids in the flowering season, the leaf size and amount of pubescence in the stems and leaves of the hybrids were intermediate between the parents, and the spike length and flowering period of the hybrids were longer than those of the parents. The inheritance of these ornamental characteristics was supported by the results of principal component analysis. The results of this study suggest the possibility of being able to develop superior cultivars by crossing and selection focusing on ornamentally important characteristics.