Abstract
Interspecific crosses between Prunus mume cv. Baigo (seed parent) and P. salicina cv. Sordum (pollen parent) were made in 1984 from which four fertile seeds were obtained. When the seeds were planted in a greenhouse in the following spring, three seedlings were obtained. Eventually, the seedlings flowered and set fruits ; they proved to be interspecific hybrids based on peroxidase and esterase isozyme analyses. Morphological characteristics of these seedlings are as follows. Mature leaf : General shape, tip and base form of the leaf and petiole color of the seedlings are similar to 'Baigo' ; 'Sordum' and the seedlings have reniform glands on their leaf base, but 'Baigo' has none. Flower : The flower size of seedlings was intermediate between 'Baigo' and 'Sordum'. 'Baigo' has one flower per flower bud, whereas 'Sordum' has two or three flowers. The hybrid seedlings bear one or two flowers per flower bud and trichomes on the exocarp like 'Baigo', unlike 'Sordum' which has none. The pollen of the seedlings were fertile. Fruit : The shape of matured fruit of 'Baigo' and 'Sordum' is round ; the latter has a slightly mounded tip. Two seedlings segregated to a round fruit and one into an elliptical shape. Flesh color of 'Baigo' is yellow, whereas that of 'Sordum' is red. One seedlings segregated to a red flesh whereas two inherited a light yellow flesh.
