Outcrossing in Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti)

Abstract

Using an accession of velvetleaf having a high degree of purple pigmentation as the male parent made possible the identification of seedlings resulting from controlled or natural crosses. Cross-pollination, even after flowers had opened and anthers had shed pollen, was demonstrated by transmitting pollen manually. Natural outcrossing was demonstrated in the field by growing plants of the purplepigmented accession in close proximity to locally occurring velvetleaf. Insect transmission of pollen was suspected.