Two putative hybrids between Kalmia and Rhododendron, their suspected progenitor species and related taxa were submitted to DNA sequencing of cpDNA trnL-F and nrDNA ITS regions in order to test whether there was DNA sequence evidence both for hybridization per se and for the direction of the cross should one be evident. Comparison of eight DNA sequences from these putative hybrids with Rhododendron and Kalmia species showed clear evidence of origin within Rhododendron. No evidence of Kalmia DNA was detected. These putative intergeneric hybrids appear to be mutants of Rhododendron and not of hybrid origin.

Arguments in favour of using Nothofagus alpina (Poepp. & Endl.) Oerst. (Fagaceae) rather than N. procera Oerst. or N. nervosa (Phil.) Krasser as the correct name for rauli are presented. We also refute suggestions that N. alpina is based on hybrid material. The hybrid of N. alpina with N. obliqua (Mirb.) Blume is formally described as N. × dodecaphleps Mike L. Grant & E. J. Clement and a key to the deciduous taxa of Nothofagus is provided. © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2004, 146, 447–451.

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Knowledge of the origin of Lavatera L. (tree mallows) cultivars helps to predict their cultural requirements. Eighteen accessions representing 15 cultivars, 14 accessions of 7 species, and 5 accessions of an F1 hybrid between the putative parents of the cultivars were sampled for morphological variation and for randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) fingerprint variation. Species-specific molecular markers were identified from the RAPD profiles. Chimeral elements were not distinguishable by RAPD analysis. Principal component analysis identified the majority of the cultivars to be selections of hybrid origin, probably from a narrow genetic base. Two cultivars were derived directly from individual species. The resolving power of RAPD markers and morphology was similar although RAPD data offered greater ability to ascribe parentage while morphology offered optimal discrimination of cultivar selections.