Abstract: The somatic chromosome numbers and detailed chromosome morphology have been studied in five species and one variety of the genus Ranunculus from China . Their numbers and karyotype formulas are : R . felixii , 2n = 4x = 32 = 12m+ 20sm; R. nephelogenes, 2n = 4x = 32 = 16m + 10sm + 6st ; R. nephelogenes var. geniculatus, 2n = 4x = 32 = 14m + 16sm+ 2st or 2n = 5x= 40 = 18m+ 16sm+ 4st + 2T; R. ficariifolius, 2n = 2x = 16 = 12m+ 2sm + 2st; R. repens, 2n= 2x = 16 = 8m+ 8st or 2n = 4x = 32 = 12m+ 4sm + 14st + 2t; and R. trigonus, 2n = 2x = 16 = 6m + 6sm + 4st, respectively. The chromosome number of R. nephelogenes var. geniculatus and the karyotype of R . nephelogenes var. nephelogenes are reported for the first time. In combination with data from morphology and pollen, the taxonomic implications of the indices of karyological asymmetry in Ranunculus are analysed .

Key words: Ranunculus