Article

Three Mediterranean Arbutus species and one natural hybrid, as well as three North American species and one Californian hybrid of unknown origin were studied microscopically; a comparison of the internal anatomy of the flowers of these species is reported for the first time. Anatomical features were found to be similar in general but unique to the Arbutus. However, the length of the anther appendages, the spurs, seems to provide a heritage trait linking the Californian hybrid Arbutus ‘Marina’ to the A. canariensis and support other morphological findings between the East Mediterranean hybrid, A. ×andrachnoides, and its parents A. andrachne and A. unedo.