# Kölreuter — The Origin of Species character guide

> Kölreuter in The Origin of Species by Charles Darwin.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Kolreuter

**First appearance:** 0004-i-variation-under-domestication

## Who they are

A botanist known for early experiments on plant hybridization.

## In the story

### [I: Variation Under Domestication](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_origin_of_species_se/chapters/i-variation-under-domestication)

Mentioned in the context of the reproductive system's sensitivity to changed conditions and variability.

### [Causes of Variability](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_origin_of_species_se/chapters/causes-of-variability)

Mentioned for his observation of similarity between variability from crossing species and that from new conditions.

### [On the Intercrossing of Individuals](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_origin_of_species_se/chapters/on-the-intercrossing-of-individuals)

Mentioned for his work on the barberry and on cross-fertilization.

### [IX: Hybridism](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_origin_of_species_se/chapters/ix-hybridism)

Cited as a conscientious observer who made the rule of sterility universal, but ranked fertile forms as varieties.

### [Degrees of Sterility](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_origin_of_species_se/chapters/degrees-of-sterility)

Cited as a conscientious observer who made the rule of sterility universal, but cut the knot by ranking fertile crosses as varieties.

### [Origin and Causes of the Sterility of First Crosses and of Hybrids](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_origin_of_species_se/chapters/origin-and-causes-of-the-sterility-of-first-crosses-and-of-hybrids)

Cited alongside Gärtner for evidence of a series from reduced seed production to complete sterility.

### [Fertility of Varieties When Crossed, and of Their Mongrel Offspring, Not Universal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_origin_of_species_se/chapters/fertility-of-varieties-when-crossed-and-of-their-mongrel-offspring-not-universal)

Demonstrated that one tobacco variety produced less sterile hybrids when crossed with a distinct species.

### [Hybrids and Mongrels Compared, Independently of Their Fertility](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_origin_of_species_se/chapters/hybrids-and-mongrels-compared-independently-of-their-fertility)

Kölreuter's experiments are cited as opposing Gärtner's conclusion about hybrid differences when crossed with a third species.

### [Rudimentary, Atrophied, and Aborted Organs](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_origin_of_species_se/chapters/rudimentary-atrophied-and-aborted-organs)

Referenced for his crossing experiment showing that a rudimentary pistil in male flowers can be increased in size when hybridized with an hermaphrodite species.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_origin_of_species_se/characters/kolreuter
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_origin_of_species_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_origin_of_species_se/characters