Abstract
The chromosome numbers of 32 taxa in the ‘Gaultheria group’ of genera of the tribe Andromedeae in the Ericaceae have been counted; 15 of these have been counted for the first time. All taxa counted in Gaultheria and Leucothoë have a chromosome number based on x = 11. The chromosome numbers counted in Diplycosia are 2n = 36 and in Zenobia 2n = c.66. G. insana and G. procumbens show different polyploid races: G. insana tetraploids and hexaploids and G. procumbens diploids, tetraploids and octoploids.
Highlights
The Ericaceae has been relatively little studied cytologically
The basic number of x = 12 previously suggested for a few species of Gaultheria sensu stricto and of x = 11 for G. hispidula in this study demonstrate that without more cytological work it is impossible to make firm conclusions on generic status based solely on chromosome number
It is true that all three Australian and New Zealand species so far studied are diploids, but diploids are present in the Himalayas (G. cuneata), Taiwan {G. itoana) and North
Summary
The Ericaceae has been relatively little studied cytologically. Despite this Raven (1975)was able to make suggestions as to the ancestral basic numbers of the Ericales and Ericaceae. The Ericaceae has been relatively little studied cytologically. Despite this Raven (1975). Was able to make suggestions as to the ancestral basic numbers of the Ericales and Ericaceae. He proposed that the original basic chromosome number of the Ericales was x = 6 (as is found in the Epacridaceae) and that the Ericaceae was derived from this with a basic number of x=12. From this there have been frequent dysploid derivatives especially to form x= 11 and x= 13. The only large genera in the Ericaceae studied in detail are Rhododendron
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