Genetic relationships were estimated by RAPD analysis by using 10-mer
random primers in individuals of Lilium japonicum Thunb., native to Sh
imane and other Prefectures. UPGMA clustering analysis indicated that
individuals of L. japonicum from various collection sites in Shimane a
nd Ehime Prefectures had no distinct differences from each other and t
hat they belonged to the same cluster at 0.588 level of similarity coe
fficient. However, they were distinguishable from those native to Nara
, Wakayama, and Shizuoka Prefs. Similarity coefficient between L. japo
nicum native to Shimane, Ehime, Nara, Wakayama Prefs., and that native
to Shizuoka Pref. was 0.428, and that between L. japonicum native to
the first four prefectures and L. rubellum Baker was 0.429 which sugge
sts that L. rubellum was included in the variation of L. japonicum. Th
us, this species displays a large variation depending on its native ha
bitats. These results suggest that when creating new cultivars of L. j
aponicum in Shimane Pref., the native parents should be cross with L.
japonicum from Shizuoka or Wakayama Pref. to instill possible hybrid v
igor in the hybrids between genetically remote L. japonicum individual
s determined by RAPD analysis.