Abstract: The karyotypes of Dipylleia sinensis and Dysosma veitchii are reported in this paper for the first time. The karyotype formula of the former is K(2n)= l2 = 8m(4SAT)+2st+2t. and that for the latter is K(2n) = 4m (2 SA T)+4 sm+2 st (2 SAT )+2t, both belonging to 2A type. The karyo types of SinopodoPhyllum hexandrum and Dysosma vershalliS reported in this paper are somewhat different from those in previous reports, i.e. the karyotype formula of the former being K(2n)=l2= 6m (4SAT)+2sm+2st+2t, 2B type, and that for the latter being K (2n) = 12 = 8m(2SAT)+ 2st(2SAT)+2t, 2A type. Two pairs of chromosomes are observed with secondary constriction in both species.

Key words: Diphylleia, Dysosma, Podophyllum, Sinopodophyllum, Karyotype, Evolution