Cytological Study of Begonia Sections Flocciferae, Parvibegonia and Platycentrum (Begoniaceae) with Chromosome Numbers 2n=28 and 56

Abstract

Previous chromosome information for 2n=28 is restricted to 17 species in four Asian Begonia sections Baryandra, Diploclinium, Petermannia and Reichenheimia. Here we report the first chromosome counts and karyotype analyses of 2n=28 for three species in two Asian sections Flocciferae and Parvibegonia, as well as those for 2n=56 of B. baliensis in sect. Platycentrum. The number of sections with 2n=28 reported is increased to six of 20 sections of Asian Begonia. Based on the karyotypes, the chromosome evolution for 2n=28 as well as 2n=56 in Asian Begonia is discussed.