Chromosome Numbers, Polyploidy, and Hybridization in Castilleja (Scrophulariaceae) of the Great Basin and Rocky Mountains
Heckard LR and Chuang T. 1977. Chromosome Numbers, Polyploidy, and Hybridization in Castilleja (Scrophulariaceae) of the Great Basin and Rocky Mountains. Brittonia. 29(2):159-172
Chromosome numbers are reported for 190 collections of Castilleja of the Great Basin-Rocky Mountains and adjacent regions in western North America. Polyploidy has played a major role in evolution of this genus. Of the 35 taxa represented. 14 are exclusively diploid (n=12). The remaining 21 taxa exhibit polyploidy: eight are tetraploid only, two are octoploid only, while 11 of the more wide-ranging species have two or more levels of polyploidy. Both C. rhexifolia and C. sulphurea have diploid, tetraploid, and octoploid races while the widespread C. Miniata has four (2x, 4x, 8x, and 10x). Where appropriate, the role of polyploidy and hybridization in Castilleja evolution and their relevance to taxonomy are discussed for individual species. Chromosome numbers reported for 190 collections, three from Glacier National Park.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Heckard, Lawrence; Chuang, Tsan-Iang
- Units
- GLAC
- Keywords
- Chromosomes, Hybridization, Indian paintbrush (Castilleja), Museums & Collections, Plant Studies, polyploidy, Rocky Mountains