Cytogenetics of Aquatic Ornamentals

II. Cytology of Nymphaeas

Abstract

Cytological features of nineteen taxa of both Indian wild and American culti-vated forms of Nymphaea were studied. Of these, nine members have been worked out for the first time. The chromosome counts revealed diploid, triploid, tetraploid and hexaploid levels based on x=14. N. dentatamagnifica and ‘Sunrise’ were characterised by presence of polysomaty. Majority of the taxa showed abnormalities during meiosis such as desynapsis, chromosome association and segregational irregularities, which indicate their hybrid origin.