Chromosomal Study on Chinese Bupleurum L.(Apiaceae)

Chromosome numbers of 24 populations from 13 species and 5 varieties,as well as karyotype data from 5 species and 1 variety of Chinese Bupleurum L.were reported.All were diploids,except two populations of B.tianschanicum,one of B.commelynoideum and one of B.marginatum were polyploids.(1) B.longicaule var.giraldii and B.petiolulatum var.tenerum may be two independent species;it is more appropriate for B.boissieuanum to be treated as a variety of B.longiradiatum,whereas treating B.commelynoideum var.flaviflorum as a variety of B.commelynoideum may not be appropriate;(2)B.commelynoideum and B.chinense are complex groups,which require further study;(3) The ancestral basic chromosome number of Bupleurum L.is x = 7,but this needs further evidence.