Plant genetic resources conservation: case study of Teucrium spp. in Croatia

The genus Teucrium is a source of beneficial bioactive phytochemicals and its use is well known in the traditional medicine of many countries. Studies on the wild populations of Teucrium species are scarce. Croatian flora numbers 12 accepted species of this genus, including a recently discovered hybrid between T. montanum and T. polium. This study aimed at sampling of T. montanum and T. polium in Split-Dalmatia County in an area where the two species grow in sympatry and the occurrence of hybrids is more likely. We collected six populations of both T. polium and T. montanum and found potential hybrids at five sites. The goal of our future research is to confirm the hybrids at the genetic level. This work contributes to in situ conservation by providing new insights into the status of wild populations of Teucrium species, supports ex situ conservation by including seed accessions to the Collection of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants ; and enables their further characterization and evaluation for use in future breeding programs.