Objective   SSR molecular markers were used to verify the authenticity of F1 hybrids of Gerbera jamesonii Bolus. Methods From Rodrigo, Savannah, and their progenies, 65 reciprocal F1 hybrids of gerbera, primers with clear bands, high repeatability, and free of identical allele between parents were selected. Based on the transcriptomes, applicable means of species authentication were investigated.

  Results   Of the 65 selected pairs of SSR primers, 26 were polymorphic at a rate of 40%. No identical alleles between the parents were found on the g24, g32, g38, and g64 primers with clear and distinct bands. They all contained a band of each parent in their amplified positive and negative F1 progenies and could correctly distinguish true from false hybrids. Meanwhile, the primer g24, g04, g44, and g39 could amplify new gerbera varieties/strains and also contained a band of each parent. However, they were limited to positively identifying genuine hybrids of Minghuifendai, Minghuihongyan, Meifen, and Huancai.

  Conclusion   The SSR molecular markers selected could satisfactorily be used to authenticate the F1 hybrids of G. jamesonii Bolus for plant selection and commercial identification.