Research

Since its appearance prior to 1938, circumscription of the cream-flowered cultivar Achillea 'Taygetea' has been confused by mis-applications of the name, which itself is shown to be invalid, and questions over its origin. Parentage is commonly attributed to A. clypeolata Sm. (yellow-flowered) x A. millefolium L. (white-flowered). DNA sequencing was used on nuclear ITS and chloroplast DNA from specimens in the RHS trial of Achillea with the objective of clarifying relationships within the genus. An initial conclusion is that currently accepted sectional subdivisions within the genus may be inadequate. The cultivars share a common origin but are not closely related to A. taygetea.

This work was carried out in collaboration with the University of Reading. It was presented at an International Symposium under the aegis of the Commission of Biotechnology of ISHS, Molecular Markers for characterizing genotypes and identifying cultivars in horticulture, at AGRO Montpellier, France, during 6 - 8 March 2000.

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