Chromosome numbers in zingiberaceae

Abstract

The cytology of 27 species coming under 11 genera of the Zingiberaceae has been investigated. This includes 11 species and 2 genera not previously studied cytologically and 4 species for which the chromosome numbers determined in the present study differ from previous reports. The lowest chromosome number observed in South Indian plants of this family is 2n=22 and the highest 2n=96. New basic numbers observed include 25 for Boesenbergia and 21 for Hitchenia. The locally cultivated clone of the ginger plant (Zingiber officinale) showed evidence of structural hybridity resulting from inversions and interchanges. Zingiber macrostachyum also showed evidence of heterozygosity for inversions. © 1969, Japan Mendel Society, International Society of Cytology. All rights reserved.