A molecular phylogenetic analysis based on internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences in 31 species, four varieties and four cultivars of Lachenalia, two species of Massonia and three species of Polyxena was made. These three genera have been considered as closely related with each other. The ITS sequence data confirmed that Massonia was clearly different from Lachenalia and Polyxena. Polyxena constructed one clade distinguished from Lachenalia. The species of Lachenalia used showed a correlationship between ITS sequence data and karyotypes, excepting the species with the basic chromosome numbers x=7 and x=8 did not show any correlationship with those with the other basic chromosome numbers. Similarities of their arrays of ITS sequence data among species with x=8 were greater than those among the species with x=7. Lachenalia pusilla and L. muirii which had x=7 formed a clade with the species with x=8. Differences in The species with the basic chromosome numbers of X=7 and 8 showed less differences in correlationship between ITS sequence data and karyotypes than those with other basic chromosome numbers It was suggested that the species of Lachenalia with the basic chromosome numbers of x=7 and 8 might be originated from a common ancestor, while the other species of the genus with basic chromosome numbers other than x=7 and 8 might be originated from other ancestor-else.

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Parnassia palustris var. multiseta collected in the Altai Mountains in Russia and Mongolia showed four cytotypes with the respective chromosome numbers of 2n=18, 27, 36 and 45. They could be diploid, triploid, tetraploid and pentaploid respectively, if the basic chromosome number of x=9 was accepted. The chromosome number of 2n=45 was reported here for the first time in the Russian plants studied, while the other chromosome numbers verified the previous reports.

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The freeze-cracking technique was applied to chop and divide cell randomly in root meristems of Drosera falconeri into two pieces and obtain ultrastructural information on chromosomes, nucleoli, mitotic spindles and their attached sites on chromosomes as well as the poles. Certain phenomenon on diffused-centromeric chromosomes were found to strongly support Kondo's hypothesis on “diffused-centromeres in Drosera chromosomes.” The mitotic spindles were 60~90 nm diameter at many separate portions on a poleward side of prometaphase and metaphase chromosomes.

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Total genomic DNA was isolated from young leaves of Artemisia arborences L., Achiliea fragrantisma (Forssk.) Sch. Bip, Ach. santolina L., Glebionis coronaria L., G. coronaria var. discolor D' Urv, Cotula barbata DC., Co. cinerea Del, and Matricaria recutita L. of Chrysanhemum senu lato (Asteraceae) as well as an eucalyptus tree as the outgroup by using the CTAB and SDS methods. Three fixative solutions such as alcohol, alcohol-chloroform and alcohol-EDTA were used before grinding the plant leaves to extract the total genomic DNA. The quality and quantity of DNA were comparable among the three fixative solutions and liquid nitrogen grinding after using the CTAB and SDS methods. Isolated DNA was suitable for the ISSR, the RAPD and the 5S rDNA analyses. The CTAB method showed DNA quality much better than SDS. This method did not require liquid nitrogen for fixation, grinding, or storage at -196°C as well as phenols for washing after the CTAB and SDS DNA extraction, making the present method advantageous and more suitable in comparison with common protocols for the plant materials in Chrysanhemum senu lato.

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Karyotype change of Lysimachia mauritiana was cytologically analyzed in 76 individuals collected in the northern and middle parts of the Ryukyu Archipelago in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. Sixteen cytotypes were recognized in the areas. At least, four long median- and six terminal-centromeric chromosomes were included in the chromosome complements of the individuals observed. Remarkable choromosomal polymorphism or karyotype variation was shown in the Ryukyu Archipelago, especially the Amami group.

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We conducted chromosomal characterizations of three species in the Byblis liniflora complex using sequential fluorescent staining with chromomycin A₃ (CMA) and 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI), and fluorescence in situ hybridization method. Byblis filifolia and B. rorida had the diploidal chromosome number of 2n=16, while B. liniflora had the tetraploidal chromosome number of 2n=32. All chromosomes of three species were median-centromeric. The primary constrictions, which contain centromeric regions, showed slightly CMA-positive stainability. Two CMA-positive DAPI-negative segments were observed on two chromosomes of the diploids B. rorida and B. filifolia, and the tetraploid B. liniflora. The 45S rDNA signals were detected on two chromosomes of the diploid and the tetraploid species, respectively. The positions of the 45S rDNA were corresponded to CMA-positive DAPI-negative segments.

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