From Seed to Seed:
Plant Science for K-8 Educators

Digging Deeper

Pluots, Plumcots, and Apriums

As breeders became more and more adept at hybridization, they naturally began to push the limits of the process. Generally, only plants of the same species can pollinate each other. For example, the various summer squashes (all Cucurbita pepo) can cross-pollinate freely with no human intervention. But in most cases, different species will not cross-pollinate-pollen from garden peas (Pisum sativum) will not pollinate bean flowers (Phaseolus vulgaris).

However, plant breeders have recently developed techniques for using pollen from one species to pollinate the flowers of another species, a process called interspecific hybridization. This explains the presence of "pluots," "plumcots" and "apriums." These are all crosses between plums and apricots.

Breeders are able to not only improve plants, but actually create new ones!

Please click the BACK button on your browser to return to the course.