Phylogenetic connections between representatives of the genus Amelanchier Medik.

Abstract

Within the frames of retrospective discourse, the information concerning breeding value of a representative of the genus Amelanchier Medik. — for national pomiculture, decorative gardening, and pharmacy – is inte- grated. This article characterizes their: biological peculiarities, ecological adaptiveness, palatability traits and cooking qualities of their fruits, their availability for drying and processing, namely preparing juices, syrups, jams, candied fruit jellies, comfiture, and also fruit wine. The effective- ness of using Juneberry for phytomeliorative is mentioned, some ethno- botanical aspects are discussed. Data about chromosome numbers and the geographical origin of the genus Amelanchier representatives culti- vated in Ukraine and their closest congeners from the family Rosaceae Juss. are cited. Controversial questions of the genus Amelanchier sys- tem were discussed from the classical and molecular genetic approaches. The results of phylogenetical and molecular genetic researches made by scientists of different countries offer a possibility to specify the sys- tematic position of the genus Amelanchier representatives of the family Rosaceae Juss. grown in Ukraine, and to place them temporarily in a big subfamily Amygdaloideae Arn., which combines the former subfamilies Amygdaloideae, Spiraeoideae, and Maloideae, tribe – Maleae Small, sub- tribe – Malinae Rev.