Cytology of two species of winged bean, Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L.) DC. and P. scandens (Endl.) Verde. (Leguminosae)

Karyotype morphology of Psophocarpus tetragonolobus and P. scandens is described and the behaviour of chromosomes at meiosis discussed. Both species have a chromosome number of 2n = 18 and similar karyotypes of a sort unusual within the Phaseolinae. Differences between the species in detailed morphology of the chromosomes agree with data from external morphology, palynology and crossability in indicating that P. scandens cannot be the immediate wild ancestor of domesticated P. tetragonolobus . Study of meiotic chromosomes and analysis of qualitative and quantitative variation in Papua New Guinean P. tetragonolobus suggest that there are few restrictions to recombination other than those imposed by predominant self-pollination, The bearing of these data on the taxonomic relationships of Psophocarpus and on chromosomal evolution within the Phaseolinae is discussed.