Biochemical Verification of Hybridity in Weeping Willow    (View PDF)

Frank S. Santamour, Jr.

Abstract: The identification of some species of Salix (willow) and their interspecific hybrids can be easily accomplished by two-dimensional paper chromatography of alcoholic leaf extracts. Clones of S. babylonica, including 'Babylon,' and 'Tortuosa,' and two individuals called S. matsudana 'Pendula' contained the flavone luteolin 7-glucoside as the only f lavonoid glycoside. Some clones of S. alba produced only the flavonol rhamnazin 3-glucoside, but others also contained rhamnazin 3-rutinoside. Both rhamnazin compounds were found in S. frag/V/s and it is possible that some clones purported to be S. albaare actually hybrids between S. alba and S. fragilis. The presence of luteolin 7-glucoside in the leaves of many "weeping" clones was sufficient to indicate the involvement of S. babylonica in their parentage. The red anthocyanidins formed during acid hydrolysis of leaf tissue varied among species, but were not helpful in hybrid identification because of inter-clonal differences in S. alba.

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https://doi.org/10.48044/jauf.1992.002