CYTOGENETIC STUDIES OF CARTHAMUS SPECIES (COMPOSITAE) WITH 32 PAIRS OF CHROMOSOMES

Abstract

Two taxa of Carthamus , each with 32 pairs of chromosomes, merit specific status. C. baeticus (Boiss. & Reut.) Nym. is found on islands of and in countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea, whereas C. turkestanicus Popov extends from western Turkey to Kashmir. Compared to C. baeticus, C. turkestanicus has wider leaves, wider and less divaricate bracts, larger heads with more florets and achenes, and florets with longer lobes. Their chromosomes differ to the extent that microsporocytes of their F 1 hybrids had a reciprocal translocation in pachytene and a mean of over six, and up to 22, univalents at metaphase I. Pollen stainability and seed fertility were reduced in F 1 hybrids.