The Absence of Malvidin-3-Glucoside in Petiole Tissue Predicts Rare Red-Type Flower of Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis L.)

Eastern redbud, Cercis canadensis L., is a popular ornamental tree in the U.S. and has flower colors of purple-type, red-type, white-type. Most redbuds cultivars have purple-type flowers. Red-types white-types are much less common. These unusual become an important trait for incorporation into novel redbud cultivars. seedlings require 3–5 years before blooming, making color selection slow expensive process. The ability to select type would significantly increase efficiency breeding Redbud dominated by anthocyanin content; leaf petioles often show visible pink purple color, indicating potential presence anthocyanin. In this study, profiles 14 25 progenies ‘Appalachian Red’ (red-type) × ‘Oklahoma’ (purple-type) were determined using HPLC. petiole strongly indicative plant flower-color types. Both peonidin-3-glucoside malvidin-3-glucoside dominant from all plants. contrast, was absent red-type plants, neither nor detected among white-type results indicate that or absence can be physiological marker identifying