Spontaneous hybrids between the two diploids Poa infirma Kunth
and P. supina Schrader were obtained at the
rate of 0·2%. No reciprocal maternal effect was observed. Almost all
hybrids survived, grew normally but were
sterile. Hybrids were diploid, and resembled in morphology the tetraploid
P. annua L. (annual meadow grass). In
their isozymes, they showed additivity of the parental patterns, and were
very similar to those found in P. annua
populations. The ease with which hybrids were obtained and the similarity
of their morphological and isozyme
pattern to P. annua suggest that the two diploid species are
closely related to the allotetraploid species, and are
perhaps its parent species.