A natural intergeneric hybrid,Aciphylla squarrosa × Gingidia montana, and the frequency of hybrids among other New Zealand apioid Umbelliferae

Abstract

Abstract A single plant, thought to be a natural hybrid between Aciphylla squarrosa and Gingidia montana, was collected in 1976and grown on under uniform conditions along with plants representing the putative parents. The putative hybrid was intermediate in most vegetative, floral, and fruit characters examined. Pollen stainability of the hybrid was only 3% and, although fruit matured on backcrossing from a male plant of G. montana, the mericarps did not contain a properly formed endosperm. The occurrence of this natural intergeneric hybrid indicates a closer relationship between Aciphylla and Gingidia than has been previously suggested. The frequency of interspecific hybrids in these two genera, and in Anisotome, contrasts with the rarity of hybrids in Umbelliferae outside New Zealand.