First report of triploidy in Ailanthus altissima, an invasive tree species

Published Date
October 2014, Volume 19, Issue 5, pp 469–472

Short Communication

First Online: 

14 February 2014

DOI: 10.1007/s10310-014-0435-4

Cite this article as: 

Kurokochi, H., Uchiyama, H., Hasegawa, M. et al. J For Res (2014) 19: 469. doi:10.1007/s10310-014-0435-4

Author

• Hiroyuki KurokochiEmail author
• Hiroshi Uchiyama
• Mikio Hasegawa
• Yoko Saito
• Yuji Ide

Abstract

Ailanthus altissima is a woody plant that has become invasively naturalized in many countries. Using nuclear SSR markers, we studied specimens of this species collected throughout Japan and found an individual (labeled Aa-1) that was not diploid. We examined pollen morphology and ploidy level of Aa-1 by optical microscopy and flow cytometry (FCM), respectively. Some pollen grains were morphologically abnormal and much larger than normal. FCM analysis demonstrated that Aa-1 was triploid. Formation of abnormal pollen indicates that Aa-1 may well have reduced fertility compared to normal diploids. If this were the case, vegetative progeny Aa-1 could be used as ornamentals without attendant risks of future naturalization.

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