Sorbus hupehensis 'Pink Pagoda'

daniel, not being a botanist, 'apomictic' is a new word/concept for me. I don't know if this is a stupid question, but are most trees in No.America apomictic? Is it true that variegated foliage (and yellow foliage, and ppl. foliage) trees are never apomictic and can only be propogated vegetatively? thank you for the lesson.

 

Apomictic means that the seeds develop asexually, without pollination by another plant, so a seedling is genetically identical to its parent. It occurs in a variety of different plant groups; well-known ones include rowans (as here), hawthorns, blackberries, eyebrights, dandelions, hawkweeds. Because they breed true, it means that each population is effectively a distinct species, with even minute differences from close relatives remaining constant. So genera with apomictic behaviour tend to have huge numbers of species, that in other plant groups would be considered insignificant variations of one or just a few species.

A variegated rowan which happens to be apomictic would breed true from seed. But since most plant groups are not apomictic, it is rare that you would be able to do this.

One final twist to apomixis is the Saharan Cypress Cupressus dupreziana, which was recently discovered to be a unique male apomict - the seeds derive all of their genetic make-up from the pollen of the male parent, while the female only provides nutrients.

Hope that helps!

 

michael, that was a beautifully articulate explanation. thank you so much.