The authors present a polarization-resolved photoluminescence study of single semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) interconnected to quantum wires, measured both in a top geometry, and in a less conventional cleaved-edge geometry. Strong polarization anisotropy is revealed for all observed transitions, and it is deduced that closely spaced QD hole states exhibit nearly pure heavy-or light-hole character. These effects are attributed to the large aspect ratio of the dot shape. (c) 2006 American Institute of Physics.