Evaluation of interspecific hybrids between Lagerstroemia indica and L-speciosa

Production of viable interspecific seedlings from a cross between Lagerstroemia indica L. 'Tonto' x L. speciosa (L.) Pers. was confirmed by comparison of morphological traits and genetic markers. Traits such as plant height and width showed marked variation within the seedling population whereas variation in other traits such as flower size and color was very limited. Seedlings were found to be functionally sterile as either male or female parents. Observed sterility prevents the maximum introgression of important complex traits such as cold hardiness by sib mating or backcrossing into clones derived from this parental combination. 'Princess' was confirmed to be a sterile hybrid of L. indica and L. speciosa whereas 'Monia' was indicated to have L. indica in its ancestry but not L. speciosa.