Hybridization studies in the genusImpatiens

摘要

The biosystematic relationships ofImpatiens wallerianaHook. f. and other selected species were examined by means of hybridization experiments and cytological techniques. BothI.gordoniiHome andI.usambarensisGrey-Wilson hybridized withI.walleriana. Meiotic abnormalities of the hybrids were determined by examining pollen mother cells. Meiosis was regular in the majority of cells in both of the hybrids, butI.wallerianatimes;I.gordoniihad more abnormalities thanI.wallerianatimes;I.usambarensis. Because of the meiotic abnormalities in the hybrids and the morphological differences betweenI.wallerianaandI.gordonii,I.gordoniiwas confirmed as a distinct species. The status ofI.usambarensiswas not as clear because it was morphologically similar toI.walleriana, and the hybrid between the two species had fewer meiotic abnormalities. BothI.gordoniiandI.usambarensiscould be useful in a horticultural breeding program because they hybridize easily withI.walleriana.