Cytological Studies in Cyperaceae with Special Reference to its Taxonomy I

Abstract

Cytology of 24 species belonging to five genera of the family Cyperaceae could be studied in which chromosome numbers are recorded for the first time in 15 species and different numbers have been discovered in 6 species against the previous reports.
All the 14 species of Fimbristylis Vahl cytologically investigated conformed to a single basic chromosome number of x=5. Of these, 12 species were proved to be diploids (n=5) and 2 species were tetraploids (n=10).
On the other hand the meiotic analysis of 5 species of Cyperus L. (sensu lato) revealed five different haploid numbers such as n=8, 13, 18, 21 and 29.
An wide array of chromosome numbers were found in the family ranging from 2n=10 in Fimbristylis Vahl to more than 200 in Eleocharis R. Br.