Genetic characterization of three cultivars of Muscari comosum (Liliaceae)

SummaryAfter a cytogenetic and isozymatic analysis of three cultivars of Muscari comosum and its comparison with wild species of the subgenus Leopoldia of the genus Muscari, we conclude that while the two cultivars M. comosum and M. comosum `Plumosum' clearly belong to the species M. comosum (L.) Miller, the third, sold as M. comosum `Epirus Giant', is a different species, possibly M. dionysicum Rech. fil. Therefore, the giant character on which this cultivar is sold is due possibly to a species trait rather than a giant genotype. Furthermore, while M. comosum `Plumosum' is a true genetic clone, the cultivar M. comosum is not, nor is `Epirus Giant'. Finally, we show that all the bulbs of the cultivar M. comosum are heterozygous for the inversion present in the second chromosome pair of this species. We discuss the implications of these findings in relation to the usefulness of studying the genetic variability of cultivated plants with respect of their wild ancestors.