Shortleaf Hybridization: Should We Be Concerned?
Environmental Management, Forest Management, and Regeneration
1503_SLPFactSheet-Hybridization.pdf
—
PDF document,
598Kb
Occasionally, closely related species can hybridize, that is fertilize each other and produce offspring that have a mixture of genes from both parent species. Some hybrids are themselves infertile or poorly adapted, such as the mule (a hybrid of a male donkey and a female horse that cannot sire nor bear offspring). Many hybrids, however, can reproduce. Shortleaf pine x loblolly pine hybrids are fertile with both parent species and other hybrids.
