Hostas Analyzed by Flow Cytometry

Using a technique known as flow cytometry, scientists can measure the amount of DNA within the nucleus of a cell. This, in turn, is helpful to determine the ploidy of hosta cultivars and species. In addition, DNA testing can identify ploidy chimeras that have different ploidy among the three apical layers found within the meristem of a hosta. (The three apical layers of cells within the meristem, or center, of a hosta can be genetically different. These layers are commonly designated as L1, L2, and L3.)

Like most plants, hostas generally are diploid, which means they have two sets of chromosomes. On the other hand, a plant may contain four sets of chromosome in each apical layer and therefore be a tetraploid (4-4-4). In a ploidy chimera, the three apical layers have different ploidy. An example of a ploidy chimera is 'Grand Tiara' (4-2-2) which has four sets of chromosomes in layer 1 and two sets of chromosomes in layers 2 and 3.

Occassionally, a plant may have an abnormal number of chromosomes in one or more of the apical layers. This is a case in which there are extra or missing chromosomes and is known as aneuploidy. An example of an aneuploid hosta is 'Mango Tango' (4-A-4) which has an abnormal number of chromosomes in the center apical layer of the meristem.

Most of the work of flow cytometry testing with hostas has been conducted by Ben J. M. Zonneveld and Frank van Iren at Leiden University in The Netherlands and is presented in the list that follows.

aequinoctiiantha 2-2-2
'Aki Tenryu' 2-2-2
albofarinosa 2-2-2
alismifolia 2-2-2
'Allegan Fog' 2-2-2
'Amanuma' 2-2-2
'Amber Tiara' 4-4-4
'Amine Tachi' 3-3-3
'Aphrodite' 2-2-2
atropurpurea 2-2-2
'Barney Fife' 2-2-2
'Beatrice' 2-2-2
'Bedazzled' 2-2-2
'Bella' 2-2-2
'Belle of the Ball' 2-2-2
'Bill Brincka' 2-2-2
'Blauwichtel' 2-2-2
'Blazing Saddles' 3-3-3
'Blue Cadet' 2-2-2
'Blue Mouse Ears' 2-2-2
'Blue Splendor' 2-2-2
'Blythe Spirit' 2-2-2
'Botanical Look' 2-2-2
'Breathless' 2-2-2
'Bubba' 2-2-2
'Bunter Babette' 2-2-2
'Butter Rim' 2-2-2
calliantha 2-2-2
capitata 2-2-2
'Captain Kirk' 4-2-2
'Cascades' 2-2-2
cathayana 2-2-2
'Cheatin Heart' 2-2-4
'Chelsea Ore' 2-2-2
'Cherry Berry' 2-2-2
'Chinese Sunrise' 2-2-2
'Chionea' 2-2-2
'Chishima Iwa' 2-2-2
'Choko Nishiki' 2-2-2
'Christmas Candy' 4-4-4
clausa 3-3-3
clavata 2-2-2
'Climax' 2-2-2
'Collector's Choice' 2-2-2
'Concord' 2-2-2
'County Park' 2-2-2
crassifolia 2-2-2
'Crispula' 2-2-2
'Crystal Chimes' 2-2-2
'Cynthia' 2-2-2
'Dance with Me' 4-4-4
'Decorata' 2-2-2
'Dee's Golden Jewel' 2-2-2
densa 2-2-2
'Devon Tor' 2-2-2
'Diamond Tiara' 2-2-2
'Dorset Blue' 2-2-2
'Dream Weaver' 4-2-2
'Dress Blues' 2-2-2
'Dust Devil' 4-4-4
'Eagle's Nest' 3-3-A
'El Ni�o' 2-2-2
'Elata' 2-2-2
'Elatior' 2-2-2
'Elegans' 2-2-2
'Embroidery' 2-2-2
'Emerald Necklace' 2-2-2
'Eternal Flame' 4-4-4
'Fall Bouquet' 2-2-2
'Fantabulous' 2-2-2
'Filagree' 2-2-2
'First Light' 4-4-6
fluctuans 2-2-2
'Fourth of July' 2-2-2
'Fortunei Albopicta' 2-2-2
'Fragrant Blue' 2-2-2
'Fragrant Bouquet' 2-2-2
'Francee' 2-2-2
'Francis Williams' 2-2-2
'Frosted Dimples' 4-4-4
'Fujibotan' 2-2-2
'Gaiety' 2-2-2
'Gaijin' 2-2-2
'Ginko Craig' 2-2-2
'Gold Edger' 2-2-2
'Golden Memories' 2-2-2
'Gold Standard' 2-2-2
'Golden Tiara' 2-2-2
gracillima 2-2-2
gracillima 'Alba' 2-2-2
'Grand Forks' 2-2-2
'Grand Marquee' 2-2-2
'Grand Slam' 2-2-2
'Grand Tiara' 4-2-2
'Great Expectations' 2-2-2
'Green Eyes' 2-2-2
'Guacamole' 2-2-2
'Guardian Angel' 3-3-3
'Gypsy Rose' 2-2-2
'Hadspen Blue' 2-2-2
'Haku Chu Han' 2-2-2
'Hakuyo' 2-2-2
'Halcyon' 2-2-2
'Harry van de Laar' 2-2-2
'Heaven Scent' 4-2-2
'Hime Tokudama' 2-2-2
'Hirao Majesty' 2-2-2
'Hirao Supreme' 2-2-2
'Hiroa Tetra' 2-2-2
'Holly's Dazzler' 2-2-2
'Holly's Honey' 3-3-3
'Honeybells' 2-2-2
'Hydon Sunset' 2-2-2
hypoleuca 2-2-2
hypoleuca 'Maekawa' 2-2-2
ibukiensis 2-2-2
'Inaho' 2-2-2
'Independence' 4-4-4
'Invincible' 2-2-2
'Iron Gate Delight' 2-2-2
'Iron Gate Supreme' 2-2-2
'Iwa Soules' 2-2-2
'Japanboy' 2-2-2
'Japangirl' 2-2-2
'Jolly Green Dwarf' 4-4-4
jonesii 2-2-2
'Kabitan' 2-2-2
'Katsuragawa Beni' 2-2-2
'Key Lime Pie' 2-2-2
'Kifukurin Hyuga' 2-2-2
'Kifukurin Ko Mame' 2-2-2
'Kifukurin Ubatake' 2-2-2
kikutii 2-2-2
kikutii var. tosana 2-2-2
'Kinba' 2-2-2
'Kirishima' 2-2-2
kiyosumiensis 2-2-2
kiyosumiensis 'Busen' 2-2-2
kiyosumiensis 'Seiryu' 2-2-2
'Kiwi Black Magic' 4-4-4
'Korean Snow' 2-2-2
'Koryu' 2-2-2
laevigata 2-2-2
'Lakeside Black Satin' 4-4-4
'Lakeside Coal Miner' 3-3-3
'Lancifolia' 2-2-2
'Last Dance' 3-3-4
'Liliput' 2-2-2
'Lily Pad' 2-2-2
'Little Blue' 3-3-3 (see footnote 1)
'Little Caesar' 2-2-2
'Little Jim' 2-2-2
'Little Wonder' 2-2-2
longipes 2-2-2
longipes 'Amagi Nishiki' 2-2-2
longipes 'Aurea' 2-2-2
longipes 'Gotemba Nishiki' 2-2-2
longipes 'Hypoglauca' 2-2-2
longipes 'Lancea' 2-2-2
longipes 'Maruba' 2-2-2
longipes 'Ogon' 2-2-2
longipes 'Tenryu Nishiki' 2-2-2
longissima 2-2-2
'Love Pat' 2-2-2
'Mango Tango' 4-A-4
'Marbled White' 2-2-2
'Maruba' 2-2-2
'Mary Marie Ann' 2-2-2
'Masquerade' 2-2-2
'Memories of Dorothy' 2-2-2
'Middle Ridge' 4-2-2
'Mikawa-no-yuki' 2-2-2
minor 2-2-2
'Minuteman' 4-4-4
montana 2-2-2
montana 'Aureomarginata' 2-2-2
'Moonstruck' 2-2-2
'Morning Light' 4-4-4
'Mount Kirishima' 2-2-2
'Mourning Dove' 4-2-2
'My Child Insook' 2-2-2
nakaiana 2-2-2
'Neat Splash' 2-2-2
nigrescens 2-2-2
'Night before Christmas' 4-2-2
'Ogon Tsushima' 2-2-2
'Oh My Heart' 2-2-2
okamotoi 2-2-2
'Old Glory' 2-2-2
'On Stage' 2-2-2 (see footnote 2)
'Otome' 4-4-4
'Otome-no-ka' 2-2-2
'Outhouse Delight' 2-2-2
pachyscapa 2-2-2
'Pandora's Box' 2-2-2
'Pathfinder' 4-4-4
'Patriot' 4-2-2 and 4-4-4
'PeeDee Elfin Bells' 3-3-3
'Piedmont Gold' 2-2-2
plantaginea 2-2-2
pulchella 2-2-2
'Purple Profusion' 2-2-2
pycnophylla 2-2-2
rectifolia 2-2-2
rectifolia 'Atropurpurea' 2-2-2
rectifolia 'Aurea' 2-2-2
rectifolia 'Sachalin' 2-2-2
rectifolia 'White Tachi' 2-2-2
'Red Dragon' 2-2-2
'Red Neck Heaven' 2-2-2
'Red October' 2-2-2
'Red Tubes' 2-2-2
'Regal Rhubarb' 2-2-2
'Revolution' 4-4-4
'Rhein' 2-2-2
rohdeifolia f. viridis 2-2-2
'Rosemore' 2-2-2
'Royal Standard' 2-2-2
'Royal Super' 2-2-4
'Rumpelstilzchen' 2-2-2
rupifraga 2-2-2
'Sagae' 2-2-2
'Saikoku' 2-2-2
'Saint Elmo's Fire' 2-2-2
'Saishu Jima' 2-2-2
'Second Wind' 4-4-4
'Setsurei' 2-2-2
'Shelleys' 2-2-2
'Sherborne Swift' 2-2-2
shikokiana 2-2-2
'Shade Master' 4-4-4
'Shining Tot' 2-2-2
'Shiny Substance' 3-3-3
'Sieboldiana 2-2-2
sieboldii 2-2-2
'Silver Eagle' 2-2-2
'Sitting Pretty' 2-2-2
'Slick Willie' 2-2-2
'Snow Cap' 2-2-2
'Snow Flakes' 2-2-2
'Snow White' 2-2-2
'Sparky' 2-2-2
'Spilt Milk' 2-2-2
'Stargate' 2-2-2
'Steady On' 2-2-2
'Stiletto' 2-2-2
'Stitch in Time' 4-A-A
'Straka Gold' 2-2-2
'Striptease' 2-2-2
'Sum and Substance' 3-3-3
'Summer Breeze' 4-4-4
'Summer Lovin' 4-4-4
'Summer Music' 4-2-2
'Swan Song' 2-2-2
'Sweet Susan' 2-2-2
takahashii 2-2-2
takahashii "Gosan" 2-2-2
takiensis 2-2-2
'Tardiflora' 2-2-2
tardiva 2-2-2
tardiva "Gosan" 2-2-2
'Tetra' 2-2-2
'Theo's Blue' 2-2-2
tibae 2-2-2
'Tiny Tears' 2-2-2
'Titanic' 3-3-3
'Tokudama' 2-2-2
'Tokudama Aureonebulosa' 2-2-2
'Tokudama Flavocircinalis' 2-2-2
'Torchlight' 2-2-2
'Touch of Class' 4-2-2
'Tradewind' 4-4-4
'Treasure Island' 2-2-2
'Tsugaru Komachi' 2-2-2
tsushimensis 2-2-2
'Tucker Valentine' 3-3-3
'Twilight' 4-4-4
'Twilight Zone' 2-2-2
'Ultraviolet Light' 2-2-2
'Undulata Albomarginata' 2-2-2
'Undulata Erromena' 2-2-2
'Undulata Univittata' 2-2-2
'Urajiro Hachijo' 2-2-2
'Uzu-no-mai' 2-2-2
ventricosa 4-4-4
ventricosa 'Aureomarginata' 4-4-4
ventricosa 'Golden Spot' 4-4-4
ventricosa 'Schwarzer Ritter' 4-4-4
ventricosa 'Spring Gold' 4-4-4
'Venucosa' 3-3-3
venusta 2-2-2
'Vera Verde' 2-2-2
'Viridipes' 2-2-2
'Warwick Comet' 2-2-2
'Warwick Essence' 4-4-4
'Waukon Thin Ice' 2-2-2
'White Tachi' 2-2-2
'White Wall Tire' 2-2-2
'Whirlwind' 4-4-4
'White Bikini' 2-2-2
'William Lachman' 2-2-2
'Windsor Blue' 2-2-2
'Yae' 2-2-2
'Yakushima Mizu' 2-2-2
'Yankee Blue' 2-2-2
yingeri 2-2-2
'Yoshinogawa' 2-2-2
'Yu Lei' 2-2-2

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Sources: Flow cytometric analysis of DNA content in Hosta reveals ploidy chimeras (Ben J. M. Zonneveld and Frank Van Iren, Institute of Molecular Plant Sciences, Leiden University, 2000); Nuclear DNA content of ploidy chimeras of Hosta Tratt. (Hostacae) demonstrate three apical layers in all organs, but not in the adventitious root (B. J. M. Zonneveld, Institute of Biology, Leiden University, 2007); Zonneveld's Study of Cell Layers and Leaf Variegation in Hosta Cultivars: A Summary (Steven C. Chamberlain, The Hosta Journal, 2008, Volume 39, Number 2); H. 'Stitch in Time': A Multiple Mystery (Ben J. M. Zonneveld, Warren I. Pollock, Rob Mortko, and Steven C. Chamberlain, The Hosta Journal, 2009, Volume 40, Number 1), Ploidy and Pollen Viability in Hosta Cultivars: Zonneveld's Data Sets (Steven C. Chamberlain, Warren Pollock, and Ben J. M. Zonneveld, The Hosta Journal, 2011, Volume 42, Number 1.

¹ According to Flow cytometric analysis of DNA content in Hosta reveals ploidy chimeras by Zonneveld, H. 'Little Blue' is incorrectly identified as a tetraploid (page 3) and an aneuploid (page 5). Zonneveld has since determined H. 'Little Blue' to be a triploid.

² According to Table 2. Tetraploid Hostas from Tetraploid Parents (ibid., page 76), H. 'On Stage' is incorrectly presented as a tetraploid. In his article Flow cytometric analysis of DNA content in Hosta reveals ploidy chimeras, Zonneveld confirmed that H. 'On Stage' is a diploid.

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Hostalist Selected Bibliography

Hosta Lists last updated 14 August, 2011.