Seed Abortion in Some Species and Interspecific Hybrids of Eucalyptus

Abstract

Sterility in the genus Eucalyptus due to embryo abortion is described with accompanying scanning electron micrographs. Levels of seed abortion of wild plants of seven species (subgenus Symphyomyrtus, section Adnataria) and two suspected interspecific hybrids are presented. The results indicate that allowances should always be made for seed abortion in estimating seed fertility of taxa and in particular if hybrids are involved.