A wide cross in "Liliaceae"

Tim Chapman tim@gingerwoodnursery.com
Sun, 24 Jun 2012 04:05:34 PDT


On Jun 23, 2012, at 11:31 PM, Max Withers <maxwithers@gmail.com> wrote:
 successfully
> crossed Lilium pardalinum and Trillium ovatum, 

>  Further
> internet research has reinforced my doubts, as I tracked down the
> following chromosome counts:
> 
> Lilium pardalinum 2n=24
> 
> Trillium ovatum 2n=10
> 
> 

I can't comment on the specifics of those species.  Regarding similar accounts and such here are some things that I've decided:

If an amazing probably impossible cross was made yet no proof is given and no offspring exists, and nobody has been able to recreate it.. It never happened.   

In regards to chromosome incompatibility, it is extremely rare that the person making a cross is the same person that did the chromosome studies.  Ie numerous issues exist including misidentified plants and the existence of different chromosome counts within a species.   So if the hybrid does exist then the chances are the chromosome numbers probably did match, just not to the documented numbers for those species.  However, plants can do weird things and still end up being compatible. 

I use published chromosome numbers as a guide to what could work, but not to eliminate anything.  It's basically impossible for the average person to truly know what count all of their plants are.  Even some things that "should not" work do and some that should don't.   Experiment !!

Tim Chapman



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