Studies on the Stellaria longipes complex (Caryophyllaceae): interspecific hybridization. I. Triploid meiosis

Abstract

Stellaria longipes was crossed with five other species to establish species relationships. Only crosses between S. longipes and S. longifolia resulted in the production of viable F1 seed and hybrid progeny. In the hybrids (2n = 39), chromosome associations at metaphase I showed complete homology between the genomes of the two species. This may suggest a close relationship between the diploid S. longifolia and the polyploid S. longipes.Key words: Stellaria, species complex, triploid, meiosis.