Abstract

A chromatographic survey, qualitative analysis and quantitative measurements of the carotenoids of the Formosan Salvia were undertaken in order to obtain information which could be used to supplement the data from chromosome, pollen viability, morphology and ecological studies. Conclusions were derived from the chemotaxonomic technique and other approaches. The results agree in all respects with the concepts of the interspecific hybridization (Anderson, 1954) and reticulate evolution relationships or participation theory (Hayata, 1919) found between each entity of Salvia. Several dispositions are suggested, the most striking being the recognition of some populations as being hybrids. Of these, some populations of S. hayatana may have been derived from S. hayatana x arisanensis and S. hayatana x hualiensis, and S. keitaoensis from S. hualiensis x arisanensis. S. japonica might have originated from the hybridization of S. japonica subsp. Taipingshanensis with a hayatana-like ancestor. The speciation pathway, by hybridization and chromosome doubling, and the reticulate relationships in Formosan Salvia is established.