The Origin, Cytogenetics and Reproductive Morphology of the Zonal Geranium: A Review1
Open Access
- 1 June 1976
- journal article
- review article
- Published by American Society for Horticultural Science in HortScience
- Vol. 11 (3) , 189-194
- https://doi.org/10.21273/hortsci.11.3.189
Abstract
The zonal geranium, Pelargonium X hortorum Bailey2, probably originated from hybridization of natural species of the subgenus Ciconium (Sweet) Harvey of the genus Pelargonium l’Her. ex Ait. (11, 25). Although P. zonale was introduced into Europe from South Africa in 1609, it was not until 1814 that other Pelargonium species reached Europe. Since interspecific hybridization is readily accomplished under greenhouse conditions, the plant breeders of the time soon produced a number of forms different from the wild species (10, 11). Pelargonium breeding has, therefore, been carried out for over 150 years and, as few records have been kept until quite recently, the problem of species classification and determining the phylogeny of the culti-gens is difficult (28).Keywords
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