Plant Diversity ›› 2007, Vol. 29 ›› Issue (03): 309-315.

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Karyomorphology of Twelve Species in Epimedium (Berberidaceae)

SHENG Mao-Yin1 , 2 , CHEN Qing-Fu1   

  1. 1 Institute of Plant Genetics and Breeding , School of Biological Technology and Engineering , Guizhou Normal University ,
    Guiyang 550001 , China ; 2 Department of Postgraduate, Guizhou Normal University, Guiyang 550001 , China
  • Received:2006-09-26 Online:2007-06-25 Published:2007-06-25
  • Contact: SHENG Mao-Yin

Abstract: The karyotypes of twelve barrenwort species were studied by means of the cytological observation of root-tips. The results show that their karyotypes are similar to each other , with one pairs of middle satellite chromosomes and symmetric karyotype . Among them, the karyotype formulas of Epimedium sagittatum, E. myrianthum, E. acuminatum , E. wushanense, E. simplicifloum, E. yinjiangense, E. luodianense, E. davidi , E. pubigerum , E. franchetii and E. alpinum are 2n = 2x = 6m (2SAT ) + 6sm, and E. leptorrhizum 2n = 2x= 8m (2SAT ) + 4sm . Results of karyotypes analysis supported the opinion of the barrenwort is very conservative in evolution , Our karyotype study suggested that genus Epinedium should be the oldest group in the family of Berberidaceae .

Key words: Epimedium