Genetic affinity between two chemotypes of clary sage (Salvia sclarea L.)

A new and unique chemotype of clary sage, Salvia sclarea L., was identified recently in wild populations of this species in the northern part of Israel. This chemotype was crossed to a cultivated form of clary sage of Russian origin which represents the standard chemotype of the species. The two chemotypes were easily intercrossed with one another and in both cross directions. The hybrids were vigorous but totally sterile despite apparent normal chromosome pairing at meiosis and regular segregation at Anaphase I. It seems, therefore, that the genetic diversity of the Israeli material can not be exploited to enrich the gene pool of clary sage. Further study is needed to determine the geographic distribution of the new chemotype and whether or not it deserves different taxonomic rank.