Recently,

DNA fingerprints

have been reported in a wide array of organisms. We used the M13 repeat probe on several genera and species in the angiosperm family Rosaceae. Four apple cultivars could be differentiated when any one of five restriction enzymes was used to analyze minisatellite DNA. Similarly, four individual trees of
Prunus serotina (black cherry) exhibited different

fingerprints

with each of four enyzmes. A total of 14
Rubus (blackberries and raspberries) plants representing four species were investigated with two enzymes. Extensive inter-and intraspecific variation was found. However, some closely growing plants had identical

fingerprints

, probably due to their being derived through vegetative propagation.
Key words DNA fingerprint - Apple - Cherry - Black-berry - Raspberry
Communicated by J. Beckmann