Chromosome Numbers of Some Alpine Species of Saussurea (Asteraceae) in Nepal Himalaya

Abstract

Chromosome numbers of nine species of Saussurea collected in the alpine region in Khumbu Himal, Nepal, are reported. Two different chromosome numbers are counted in Saussurea gossypiphora and its allied species in section Eriocoryne （subgenus Eriocoryne）, i.e., 2n ＝36 from S. gossypiphora, S. nishiokae and S. tridactyla, and 2n ＝32 from S. simpsoniana and S. topkegolensis. The number of S. gossypiphora is different from the previous study （n ＝13）. Saussurea graminifolia in section Pycnocephala （subgenus Saussurea） is 2n ＝32. In section Amphiraena （subgenus Amphiraena） chromosome numbers of two species, S. obvallata and S. uniflora, are 2n ＝32, while that of S. hookeri is 2n ＝36. The chromosome numbers of S. nishiokae, S. tridactyla, S. topkegolensis, S. graminifolia S. uniflora and S. hookeri are recorded for the first time.