Fragaria × Comarum hybrids explained
There are several commercially important hybrids between Fragaria and Comarum species in existence. A name for Fragaria × Comarum is available as × Comagaria Büscher & G.H. Loos in Veroff. [Bohumer Bot. Ver. 2(1): 6. 2010], along with the combination × Comagaria rosea (Mabb.) Büscher & G.H. Loos.
The first-generation hybrids have been recorded as heptaploid, i.e. with seven sets of chromosomes; four sets of chromosomes came from their octoploid strawberry parent, and three from their hexaploid Comarum parent.[1]
Commercial cultivars
All commercial cultivars resemble strawberries more closely than they do Comarum. They are all vigorous, and produce runners profusely.
- 'Frel', also known as ,[2] is a patented hybrid strawberry that is the result of crossing the garden strawberry Fragaria × ananassa subsp. cuneifolia (syn. Fragaria grandiflora)[3] with Marsh Cinquefoil, Comarum palustre (formerly Potentilla palustris), followed by backcrossing to strawberry.[4] The plant is grown for ornamental purposes. It has bright pink flowers (in contrast to the white flowers of naturally occurring strawberry species) and it produces a small number of strawberries.[4]
- 'Franor' (marketed as ) developed as a sport of 'Frel', and features a more intense red color in the flowers.[5]
- 'Gerald Straley' is a seedling of 'Frel', selected at Heronswood in Washington for its bright red flowers. It was named after the former curator of the University of British Columbia Botanical Gardens.
- 'Lipstick' is a variety developed in 1966 from a cross between the Marsh Cinquefoil, Comarum palustre and the Garden Strawberry, Fragaria × ananassa.[6] It has deep pink to red flowers, and slightly larger, more flavorful berries than 'Frel'. It, too, is grown for ornamental purposes.
Notes and References
- [David Mabberley|D. J. Mabberley]
- Web site: Missouri Botanical Gardens, Gardens and Gardening.
- Web site: ITIS report Fragaria grandiflora.
- Web site: United States Patent PP7,598, Fragaria 'Frel'.
- Web site: United States Patent PP12,169, Fragaria plant named 'Franor'.
- Web site: Fragaria 'Lipstick' .
