Chromosome numbers in callirhoe (Malvaceae)

Forty-four chromosome counts from the North American genusCallirhoe are reported, including first-recorded counts ofC. alcaeoides, C. digitata, C. bushii, C. triangulata, andC. involucrata var.tenuissima. Information concerning chromosome numbers from present and previous reports is summarized and evaluated. Observations are presented on meiosis for the genus in general, for male sterile individuals of gynodioecious species, and for selected F₁ hybrids. Pollen fertility data are recorded for the latter. Chromosomally three species groups are recognized: an exinvolucellate, diploid species group withn=14; an involucellate, tetraploid and octoploid species pair,n=28 and 56; and an involucellate, diploid and tetraploid species group withn=15 and 30. Intrageneric relationships and those within the tribe Malveae subtribe Malvinae are discussed.     

Philactis fayi (Compositae) : A new species from Mexico

The new species is the fourth member of the genus. Morphologically, it is most closely allied toP. liebmannii, but there are ample qualitative and quantitative differences between them. The chromosome numbers ofP. liebmannii andP. nelsonii are 2n = 56 whileP. zinnioides is 2n = 84.Philactis fayi is 2n = 28 and is considered to represent the diploid complement that was probably involved in the production of the other species through hybridization and chromosome doubling.     

Population studies in Goodyera (Orchidaceae) with emphasis on the hybrid origin of G. Tesselata

Morphological, cytological, and paper Chromatographic studies of populations from northern Michigan and examination of herbarium specimens from throughout North America were used to clarify the relationships ofGoodyera oblongifolia, G. repens var.ophioides, andG. tesselata. A canonical analysis of morphological data from mixed populations of these three species depictsG. tesselata as intermediate betweenG. oblongifolia andG. repens var.ophioides. The latter two species are diploid (2n = 30) andG. tesselata is tetraploid (2n = 60). Triploids (2n = ca. 45) were found in two mixed-species populations in northern Michigan.Goodyera tesselata produces three phenolic compounds present inG. oblongifolia and five different compounds present inG. repens var.ophioides. The range ofG. tesselata is confined to glaciated territory (except for two stations) in northeastern North America where the postglacially produced ranges ofG. oblongifolia andG. repens var.ophioides overlap. However,G. tesselata is quite abundant in areas outside the region of sympatry of the other two species. Based on this evidence, it is postulated thatG. tesselata is an allotetraploid species which resulted from hybridization betweenG. oblongifolia andG. repens var.ophioides during early post-Pleistocene. The slightly earlier blooming season ofG. tesselata may have been selected for to provide a measure of reproductive isolation between the tetraploid and its parents and to adapt the new species to the rather short growing season of northeastern North America.     

Relationships of the purple-fringed orchids Platanthera Psycodes and P. grandiflora

The vegetative and floral differences between two frequently confused species are discussed in terms of function.Platanthera psycodes is a widespread species with flowers adapted to visits by short-tongued lepidoptera, especially skippers of the genusPolites; the pollinaria are attached to the base of the proboscis.Platanthera grandiflora is a geographically more limited species with flowers adapted to visits by longer-tongued lepidoptera; the pollinaria are probably attached to compound eyes. The species overlap geographically and phenologically. Chromosome numbers are 2n = 42 in each species. Cultivated plants of each are partially self-incompatible but produce apparently normal embryos when intercrossed. Mechanical, seasonal, ethological, and distributional differences isolate the species.Habenaria andPlatanthera are considered distinct but closely related genera.Platanthera psycodes is based upon a type at L,P. grandiflora on a type at AMES.Platanthera grandiflora andP. psycodes have affinities with three other eastern North American species characterized by tripartite, fringed, or erose labella. Species pairs within this group, based on column structure, includegrandifloraperamoena andpsycodeslacera. The column ofP. leucophaea is morphologically intermediate in form.     

Chromosome numbers of Orthocarpus and related monotypic genera (Scrophulariaceae: Subtribe castillejinae)

A chromosome number ofn=12 is reported for the three monotypic genera of subtribe Castillejinae:Clevelandia beldingii, Gentrya racemosa, andOpicopephalus angustifolius. Chromosome numbers ofOrthocarpus correspond mostly with current infrageneric classification. SubgenusTriphysaria hasn=11.Orthocarpus sectionsCastillejoides andCordylanthoides, which are closely related toCastilleja (x=12) and the three monotypic genera above, haven=12 with aneuploid reductions ton=10 inO. linearilobus andn=11 inO. lacerus (a species also withn=12). Tetraploids are found in two species.O. brevistylus (n=24) andO. hispidus (n=12, 24). The polyploid.O. laciniatus (n=36, 48) of Peru is postulated to be of hybrid origin between a species ofCastilleja andOrthocarpus attenuatus. SubgenusOrthocarpus sectionOrthocarpus, which hasn=14 in all species except.O. bracteosus (n=15), stands apart both morphologically and in chromosome number from the remainder of the genus.     

Myriophyllum quitense and myriophyllum ussuriense (Haloragaceae) in British Columbia,Canada

Myriophyllum quitense andM. ussuriense are added to the flora of British Columbia, Canada.Myriophyllum quitense has not been previously reported in Canada, and this is the first report ofM. ussuriense for the North American continent. Problems with the identification of these species, and their distributions and habitats are discussed. The somatic chromosome numbers of 2n=42 forM. quitense and 2n=21 forM. ussuriense were found. A key for the identification ofMyriophyllum taxa growing in British Columbia is given.     

A cytological basis for the separation of Geropogon from Tragopogon (Compositae: Lactuceae)

The single species ofGeropogon, G. hybridus (L.) Schultz-Bip., is sometimes submerged in the morphologically similarTragopogon. A comparative study of the karyotypes ofGeropogon andTragopogon sensu stricto clarified their relationship. The karyotype ofG. hydridus (2n=14) was compared with that ofT. dubius Scop. (2n=12). The karyotypes are distinct, offering a compelling reason to recognizeGeropogon as a separate genus.     

New nomenclatural combinations in the North American perennial Triticeae (Gramineae)

Recent generic realignments of the perennial grasses of the tribe Triticeae necessitate some new name combinations for North American species. Three new species combinations and three new subspecies combinations are made to accommodate six long-anthered and usually cross-pollinating species ofAgropyron sensu A. S. Hitchcock in the genusElytrigia sensu N. N. Tzvelev. Three new species combinations are made to accommodate three long-anthered and usually cross-pollinating species ofElymus sensu A. S. Hitchcock in the genusLeymus sensu N. N. Tzvelev. A complete listing is given of the North American species and subspecies ofElytrigia andLeymus as I perceive them.     

A taxonomic study of the genusCalamagrostis on Mount Yakeishidake

Populations of seven species ofCalamagrostis growing on Mt. Yakeishidake were studied from a viewpoint of taxonomy. Four of them (C. sesquifolia, C. fauriei, C. matsumurae, C. gigas) were composed of tetraploid plants with 2n=28 and high pollen fertility.C. matsumurae andC. gigas had sympatric contacts, but no sign of their hybridization could be detected. The population ofC. sachalinensis on this mountain included hexaploids (2n=42) and octoploids (2n=56), and no obvious morphological or ecological differences could be found between them. The population ofC. sachalinensis was estimated to include various ecological races which may be continuously graded. InC. langsdorffi, only octoploid plants were found. Plants with 2n=56+0?1B were found in the population ofC. hakonensis. The pollen features of the collections ofC. langsdorffii, C. sachalinesis andC. hakonensis showed that apomictic seed formation may be more or less developed in them. Populations of these species on Mt. Yakeishidake were clearly separated morphologically. It was concluded that the populations of the seven species examined each have a unity and that strains ofC. langsdorffii, C. sachalinensis andC. hakonensis found on Mt. Yakeishidake are confined to those of a derived type.     

Diplachne and leptochloa (Poaceae) in North America

Most North American botanists includeDiplachne inLeptochloa but good evidence for this treatment has never been provided. The diagnostic characters of these two closely related genera of the tribe Eragrosteae are presented and the seven species ofDiplachne and six ofLeptochloa occurring in America north of Mexico are distinguished. Three new combinations are made inDiplachne:D. sect. Ipnum, D. panicoides andD. monticola and the generic disposition of all the Central and North American species noted.     

Species of Nectria (Ascomycetes,Hypocreales) having orange perithecia and colorless,striate ascospores

Nine species ofNectria are described or redescribed. Ascospores of all are colorless and striates; their perithecia are orange and do not become red in KOH. Three groups of species are represented. One group includesNectria grammicospora, N. cf.grammicospora, N. subquaternata, and the new species:N. grammicosporopsis, N. lucifer, andN. neogrammicospora. A second group includes the new speciesN. chlorogloea andN. septomyrotheciae. The third group is represented by the single new speciesN. dacryocarpa. The life-cycles of these species are described. Anamorphs ofN. grammicospora, N. grammicosporopsis, N. lucifer, andN. subquaternata are species ofClonostachys. The anamorph, ofN. neogrammicospora isAcremonium- orCephalosporiopsis-like in having monophialidic conidiophores and phragmosporous conidia, and that ofN. cf.grammicospora isAcremonium-like with amerosporous conidia. The anamorphs ofN. chlorogloea andN. septomyrotheciae have green conidia. The anamorph ofN. chlorogloea isMyrothecium sp.; its conidia are unicellular and the conidioma is a synemma. The anamorph ofN. septomyrotheciae isSeptomyrothecium cf.uniseptatum; its conidioma is a sporodochium and the conidia are bicellular. The new genus and speciesDacryoma alba are described for the anamorph ofN. dacryocarpa. All of these fungi are pantropical or Australasian in distribution.     

Significance of the fungus balansia cyperi infecting medicinal species of cyperus (Cyperaceae) from Amazonia

At least two species of Amazonian sedges (piripiri, i.e., Cyperus articulatus andC. prolixus, Cyperaceae) are widely utilized for various medicinal purposes, including birth control and induction of labor, and in hallucinogenic preparations. Examination of herbarium specimens collected from throughout South America and of living specimens collected in Ecuador has revealed that plants are infected by the systemic, ascomycetous fungusBalansia cyperi. This fungus is classified in the Clavicipitaceae and is known to infect only six species ofCyperus, including both North and South American species. Pure cultures of the fungus were obtained from two species of piripiri from Ecuador andC. virens from southern USA, and grown in submerged liquid culture. Extracts of the liquid medium revealed several unidentified ergot alkaloids. Current and past pharmacological uses of ergot alkaloids are consistent with uses of piripiri, suggesting a fungal basis for the ethnobotanical utilization of piripiri in Amazonia.     

Chromosome numbers and their taxonomic implications for eight Brazilian andropogons (Poaceae: Andropogoneae)

Eleven chromosome counts are reported for Brazilian populations of eight species ofAndropogon. Counts for five of the species are first reports for the species. Four of these species,A. arenarius, A. glaziovii, A. lateralis, andA. lindmanii, are hexaploids (n=30) and belong to a group of about a dozen species informally referred to as theAndropogon lateralis complex. Two other species of this complex,A. bicornis andA. hypogynus, we also found to be hexaploids, in agreement with previous reports. Diploid counts (n=10) forA. macrothrix (a first report) andA. virgatus (the same as two previous reports) support the morphological affinities of these two species to other species complexes withinAndropogon.     

New chromosome numbers for plant taxa endemic to the Balearic Islands

Mitotic chromosome numbers are reported from 25 vascular plant taxa, endemic to the Balearic Islands that are poorly known cytogenetically. The chromosome numbers ofAnthyllis vulneraria subsp.balearica (2n=12),Cymbalaria fragilis (2n=56), andPolygonum romanum subsp.balearicum (2n=40) were determined for the first time. A new chromosome number was found in several populations ofAnthyllis hystrix (2n=70) suggesting that this species is decaploid, in contrast to an earlier work reporting a higher ploidy level (2n=12x=84). The new chromosome number 2n=32 was reported inHypericum hircinum subsp.cambessedesii. It is suggested that the previous count (2n=40) could be explained by the presence of anomalous pentaploid cells in some tissues, contrating with the presence of a regular tetraploid complement (2n=32). Cytogenetic observations suggest thatSibthorpia africana has a diploid chromosome complement of 2n=18, with 0–2 accessory chromosomes. Accessory chromosomes are also reported forPhlomis italica, being the first record of B chromosomes in this genus. Chromosomal instability was found inGalium crespianum andG. friedichii species, with three numbers 2n=44, 55 and 66. Two cytotypes differing in ploidy level were documented within single plants. It is suggested that both species share a regular complement of 2n=44 and that the past hybridization events and formation of regenerating roots from the typical rootstock ofG. crespianum andG. friedrichii could be involved in the genesis of chromosome variants through partial endopolyploidy and concomitant somatic segregation.     

Notes on Bletia (Orchidaceae)

New species ofBletia from Mexico are described and illustrated:B. concolor, B. similis, andB. urbana. The identity ofB. campanulata Llave & Lex. is discussed, andB. reflexa Lindl. is considered to be a distinct species. Several South American epithets are treated as synonyms ofB. campanulata. A key to the recognized species ofBletia is given.     

Stuessya (Asteraceae: Heliantheae), a new genus from southcentral Mexico

Stuessya, a new genus from the Pacific slopes of southcentral Mexico is described. It is comprised of three species:S. apiculata, previously assigned to the genusViguiera;S. perennans, the generotype; andS. michoacana. The latter two taxa are previously undescribed. The genus is characterized by its urceolate, sclerified (at maturity) involucre. Chromosome counts of2n = 34 are reported forS. perennans. Relationships are problematical, but are reckoned to be somewhere betweenAldama andViguiera.     

Systematics of the calyptridium umbellatum complex (Portulacaceae)

TheCalyptridium umbellatum complex (Portulacaceae), which has been treated as including from one to nine species, is shown to comprise three morphologically distinctive species. Two of these are common, wide-ranging, montane perennial herbs—C. umbellatum, which occurs over a large part of western North America, andC. monospermum, which largely replacesC. umbellatum in cismontane California. The third member of the complex is the rare or possibly extinctC. pulchellum. The perennial members of this complex are accorded the status of a separate genus,Spraguea, by most authors, but a comparative study of the morphology and karyology of all species ofCalyptridium shows this separation to be unwarranted. Chromosome numbers ofn = 22, obtained from eight populations ofC. umbellatum and six ofC. monospermum, constitute the first reported counts for these species. Hybridization studies involvingC. umbellatum andC. monospermum indicate that they are isolated by an incomplete noncrossability barrier.     

Data on chromosome numbers in Aster (Asteraceae), with comments on the status and relationships of certain North American species

Chromosome counts are presented for more than 250 populations ofAster representing 56 species and eight spontaneous interspecific hybrids. Species are listed according to the infrageneric classification system presented in the preceding paper which utilizes basic chromosome numbers as the pivotal diagnostic character. Fundamental to the classification is an ecological species concept. The list is augmented by a series of comments on field observations and on the examination of types. Six older names previously placed in synonymy or recognized at an inferior rank are reinstated at the species level:A. brachypholis, A.firmus, A. fragilis, A. longifolius, A. simmondsii andA. tardiflorus. Two taxa included as species in current manuals of the eastern North American flora are reduced in status to subspecies rank underA. cordifolius. Putative hybrid status is assigned to four taxa previously treated and originally published as species:A. × coerulescens (= A. praealtus × A. simplex, A. × interior (= A. simplex × A. tradescantii, A. × maccallae (= A. ciliolatus × A. subspicatus) and A. × subgeminatus (= A. ciliolatus × A. tardiflorus). With new data available, the basic chromosome number ofx = 8 has now been confirmed for all species ofAster sectionHeterophylli, except the Mexican A.coahuilensis.