Inheritance of Trimorphism in Lythrum Salicaria

Abstract

It is shown that the 3 types of flowers in L. salicaria are conditioned by 3 genes. Long-styled flowers are the ultimate recessive. Short-styled flowers are determined by a single factor A, and may or may not carry Mid. Mid-styled flowers are determined by a pair of linked factors, Ma and Mb, which exhibit about 10% crossing-over in both the [male] and the [female] gametes. The presence of either one or both of these factors in the homozygous condition produces a lethal effect. Data from various crosses are given and compared with the results to be expected theoretically.