Boros István (szerk.): A Magyar Természettudományi Múzeum évkönyve 8. (Budapest 1957)

Baksay, L.: The chromosome numbers and cytotaxonomical relations of some European plant species

ANNALES HISTORICO-NATURALES MUSEI NATIONALIS HUNGARICI Tomus VIII. Series nova 1957 The Chromosome Numbers and Cytotaxonomical Relations of Some European Plant Species By L. BAKSAY, Budapest As a continuation of a similar paper published a year previously (1955), author gives the chromosome numbers of species collected in various plant associations of the Carpathian Basin and the Carpathians, the paper being also a preliminary report on the critical species. 1. Cimicifuga europaea Schipcz. n = 8 (2 x). Bálvány 900 m, Mts. Bükk, Acereto-Fraxinetum association, on lime. This species is not varying, and the Old and New World species of the genus have identical chromosome numbers, 2n = 16. 2. ! Spiraea media Schm. 2n = 10 (2 x). Mt. Bélkő 750 m, Mts. Bükk, on a craggy and steep slope ; the character species of Spiraeetum mediae association. According to S a x, the chromosome basic number of the genus is x = 9. In three sections, he examined Old and New World species, 18 in all, and 9 of the hybrids. The Old World species are, with few exceptions, 2n = 18 diploids, with Spiraea media among them ; the New World species and hybrids are tri- and tetraploids. The material of Sax was not taken from the natural flora, but consisted of species collected and cultivated in botanical gardens. Spiraea media in its natural site is rather variable, ranging from SE Europe to NE Asia ; its taxonomical evaluation needs further research. The above chromosome number, being also a new basic number, indicates an origin differing from that of the Asiatic species, indeed, as far as the age and locality of origin is concerned^ the SE European centre is supposedly the more ancient. 3. Astrantia major L. 2n = 28 (4x). Bánkút 850 m, Mts. Bükk, Seslerieto-Fagetum association, on limestone. Rich in forms, varying, with several subspecies. Wanscher shew a 2n = 14 species; unfortunately, his material also originated from botanical gardens and so both the locality of origin and the.