STUDIES IN THE GENETICS AND CYTOLOGY OF TWO SPECIES IN THE GENUS ASTER AND THEIR POLYMORPHY IN NATURE

Abstract

The following genetical and cytological studies were made in conjunction with investigations in relative growth and morphogenesis (Delisle, 1938) in two species of Aster, A. novae‐angliae L., A. multiflorus Ait. 2 and their hybrid. Certain aspects of this work appear significant when considered in relation to the polymorphy of these species and possibly have a bearing on the recognized polymorphy in the genus. A. novae‐angliae is tall, hairy, stout, and relatively unbranched in the young stages, becoming corymbed only at the summit later. It has numerous large, soft, minutely pubescent, lanceolate, acute, entire leaves which are provided with marked auriculations at the base. The bracts of the involucre are loose, erect, nearly equal, glandular‐viscid and linear; the heads are characteristically solitary on individual branchlets; the rays of the type species are violet‐purple and those of the forms roseus (Desf.) Britton and geneseensis. House are rose and white, respectively. This species flowers from August to October, with the bulk of the plants blooming in September.