Chromosome numbers in <i>Impatiens</i> (Balsaminaceae)

Abstract

Chromosome numbers were determined for 44 taxa of Impatiens. Ten of these are reported for the first time, of which one is the first record for a species native to Borneo. Chromosome numbers ranged from n = 3 to n = 24. Three new dysploid cytotypes were observed. A chromosome number of n = 17, previously recorded only from Thailand and Malaysia, was found in a South Indian taxon whose putative hybrid origin is discussed. The frequency of the different chromosome numbers occurring in the genus (n = 3 to n = 33) is summarized and dysploidy and polyploidy are discussed.