A New Basic Chromosome Number in Genus Chlorophytum

Abstract

Chlorophytum arundinaceum Baker (Liliaceae), collected from Bangladesh, was found to have i) 2n=4x=40 chromosomes and regular formation of 20 IIs in ca. 97% PMCs, ii) one ring quadrivalent and 18 IIs in 1.49% PMCs, iii) nearly regular disjunction at anaphases excepting a few cells showing one or more laggards and iv) only a few (1.49%) aneuploid (2n+2=42) PMCs. The plant seems to be an allotetraploid, also heterozygous for a reciprocal translocation between two nonhomologous chromosomes. The new basic number, x=10, is new for the genus and also for the tribe Asphodeleae.