Articles
New insights into the taxonomic delimitation of Salix babylonica and related taxa and cultivars
Article number
1434_36
Pages
261 – 268
Language
English
Abstract
Weeping willows (Salix babylonica L.) and twisted willows (S. matsudana Koidz.) are among the most popular ornamental willows in temperate regions worldwide.
Despite their distinct morphologies, the taxonomy of this group of ornamentals, which also includes cultivars of presumed hybrid origin, has long been uncertain and confusing.
Previous taxonomic concepts have relied on morphological surveys rather than exact genetic data.
In our research, we analyzed all major cultivars of S. babylonica/S. matsudana and their putative hybrids using genome-wide genotyping with DArTseq (Diversity Arrays Technology). Through analysis of thousands of binary SNPs per chromosome pair, supported by data on genome size variation (determined through flow cytometry) and morphological and micromorphological surveys, we gained new insights into the delimitation of taxa and cultivars within the S. babylonica/S. matsudana group, revealing their close genetic relationships.
In this paper, we provide an overview of major cultivars and classify them into three main hybrid groups.
We ultimately determined the hybrid origin of major cultivars such as S. ‘Chrysocoma’, S. ‘Tristis’, S. ‘Erythroflexuosa’, and others (including over 20 major cultivars of weeping and twisted willows), as well as the relationships among S. babylonica cultivars.
Despite their distinct morphologies, the taxonomy of this group of ornamentals, which also includes cultivars of presumed hybrid origin, has long been uncertain and confusing.
Previous taxonomic concepts have relied on morphological surveys rather than exact genetic data.
In our research, we analyzed all major cultivars of S. babylonica/S. matsudana and their putative hybrids using genome-wide genotyping with DArTseq (Diversity Arrays Technology). Through analysis of thousands of binary SNPs per chromosome pair, supported by data on genome size variation (determined through flow cytometry) and morphological and micromorphological surveys, we gained new insights into the delimitation of taxa and cultivars within the S. babylonica/S. matsudana group, revealing their close genetic relationships.
In this paper, we provide an overview of major cultivars and classify them into three main hybrid groups.
We ultimately determined the hybrid origin of major cultivars such as S. ‘Chrysocoma’, S. ‘Tristis’, S. ‘Erythroflexuosa’, and others (including over 20 major cultivars of weeping and twisted willows), as well as the relationships among S. babylonica cultivars.
Authors
R.J. Vaut, J. Gerová
Keywords
Salix, weeping willow, twisted willow, corkscrew willow, genome-wide markers, diversity arrays
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