CYTOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL VARIATION IN PITYROGRAMMA TRIANGULARIS

The cytology and chemistry of three populations of the species complex Pityrogramma triangularis from Santa Barbara County, California, were studied. The basic chromosome number of these ferns is x = 30, and there are diploids, triploids, and tetraploids. Although gross morphology in the plants is similar, four chemical types are observed when extracts of the external frond pigments are analyzed. Ten of the twelve possible combinations of ploidy level and pigment types have been found. Correlations of spore condition, cytology, and chemistry which indicate either an autotetraploid or allotetraploid derivation of the complex are discussed.