THE CHROMOSOMES OF THE SEMPERVIVOIDEAE (CRASSULACEAE)

Abstract

Uhl, Charles H. (Cornell U., Ithaca, New York.) Chromosomes of the Sempervivoideae (Crassulaceae). Amer. Jour. Bot. 48(2): 114–123. Illus. 1961.—Chromosome numbers are reported for 207 collections representing 68 of the ca. 95 species in this subfamily. Basic numbers are 16, 17, 18, and 19 in Sempervivum, Section Sempervivum (10 species, with many tetraploids and one hexaploid); 19 in Sempervivum, Section Jovisbarba (5 species, all diploid); 15 in Aichryson (9 species, including 1 aneuploid, 1 tetraploid, and 1 aneutetraploid); and strictly 18 in Aeonium (31 species, including 4 wholly and 1 partly tetraploid), Greenovia (3 species, 1 partly tetraploid), and Monanthes (10 species, including 2 wholly and 1 partly tetraploid). The cytological evidence appears decisive in ranking several species of disputed generic position definitely with Aichryson rather than with Aeonium. Possible relationships between various Canarian genera and certain North African species often classed in Sedum are discussed briefly in the light of the scanty morphological and cytological evidence. It is suggested that both these groups may be descended from the same ancestors that were widespread in North Africa before the deserts developed.