Cytotaxonomical Studies of South Indian Scrophulariaceae

Abstract

The Scrophulariaceae consists of about 210 genera and nearly 3000 species of cosmopolitan distribution and represents on all continents (Lawrence 1966). In South India, there are about 38 genera including 87 species of Scrophulariaceae discribed by Gamble (1956). Apart from these wild species, there are cultivated, medicinal and ornamental species like Digitalis purpurea, Antirrhinum majus, Angelonia grandiflora, Linaria vulgaris, Russelia juncea and Torenia fournieri found in the plains as well as hill stations like Ooty, Kodaikanal and Yercuad. 21 species coming under 19 genera have been included in the present investigation. In most of the species studied there are no detailed studies and therefore, the present investigation has been undertaken. Evenwhere the chromosome numbers have been determined (Fedorov 1974), the knowledge concerning the details of karyotype pertaining to chromosome measurements, which are vital to the understanding of karyological affinities is still meagre. © 1987, Japan Mendel Society, International Society of Cytology. All rights reserved.