Two closely relatedTulipaspecies with different ploidy levels show distinct germination rates

In the tetraploidTulipa sylvestriswe found larger and heavier seeds that germinated around 28 days earlier than those of the diploid ancestorTulipa pumila. The faster germination of the tetraploid species is linked to the faster growth of embryos, which reached their final length much earlier than the embryos of the diploid species. In conclusion, we argue a cautionary approach when dealing with comparative studies on ploidy level and germination to avoid misinterpretation of results when set against the natural conditions.