Four seedlings of Rhododendron atlanticum X (Rhododendron atlanticum X Rhododendron molle) have been determined to be a tetraploid using flow cytometry by
Dr. João Loureiro, Dr. Silvia Castro, José Cerca Oliveira, and Mariana Castro
Plant Ecology and Evolution Group,
Centre for Functional Ecology,
Department of Life Sciences,
Faculty of Science and Technology,
University of Coimbra, Portugal.
These seedlings do show the influence of Rhododendron molle or maybe Rhododendron luteum. Successful 4X X 2X crosses in deciduous azaleas are rare.
Summary of Ploidy Levels
Diploid Rhododendron molle,
Tetraploid Rhododendron atlanticum,
Tetraploid Rhododendron luteum,
Tetraploid 4 Seedlings of Rhododendron atlanticum X (Rhododendron atlanticum X Rhododendron molle)
Source: Bruce Clyburn
John and Sally Perkins
