Botany Department, Auckland University College.

[Received by Editor, June 27, 1956.]

Abstract

Chromosome numbers, counted by the author, are listed for 46 species of Angiosperms, mostly indigenous to New Zealand. Included are a few related species from other parts of Polynesia and Melanesia.

Introduction

The following list of chromosome numbers is published in the hope that they will be of value to systematists. In very few cases has an exhaustive treatment been made of any one genus or family, and it is unlikely that these numbers would otherwise have been published for some time, if at all.

Most specimens have been preserved either as herbarium sheets or exist as living plants in gardens or nurseries. Identification has been by the collector or the author.

The arrangement of families follows that of Hutchinson, the numbers being his.

Localities are given as accurately as known, but some specimens from public gardens have not been traced to their original sources. These last have been enclosed in brackets.

The conventions used in recording the chromosome counts are as follows: For somatic tissues (mostly root-tips) the diploid number is given as (e.g) 2n = 24. For diakinesis or first meiotic metaphases, as (e.g.) 2n = 12n. For second meiotic division stages and pollen grain counts, the haploid number is given as (e.g.) n = 12.

The author accepts full responsibility for the accuracy of the counts and will willingly make available any materials or further information he has in his possession.

J. A. Rattenbury,

Botany Department,
Auckland University College.
Auckland.

[The section below cannot be correctly rendered as it contains complex formatting. See the image of the page for a more accurate rendering.]

Nothopanax edgerleyi	Waitakere Range, N. Auckland	A. Farnell	2n = c.24
N. anomalum	Waitakere Range, N. Auckland	A. Farnell	2n = c. 24
N. parvum	National Park, Wellington	A. Farnell	2n = 24
N. colensoi	Rotorua, Auckland	A. Farnell	2n = c. 48
N. arboreum	North Auckland	A. Farnell	2n = c. 48
N. laetum	Coromandel, North Auckland	A. Farnell	2n = 48
Pseudopanax ferox	Woodhill, North Auckland	A. Farnell	2n = 48
Ps. discolor	North Auckland	A. Farnell	2n = 48
Ps. lessoni	North Auckland	A. Farnell	2n = 48
239. Gentianaceae
Gentiana corymbifera (?)	Mt. Robert, Nelson	J. A. Rattenbury	n = 18
242. Plantaginaceae
Plantago raoulii	Fiordland, Southland	T. C. Chambers	2n = c. 48
P. spathulata	South Island	J. A. Rattenbury	n = 24
P. brownii	Harris Saddle, Otago	J. A. Rattenbury	2n = 24
P. triandra	Boulder Lake, Nelson	J. A. Rattenbury	n = 24
293. Liliaceae
Arthropodium neo-caledonicum	New Caledonia	J. A. Rattenbury	2n = 22
Xeronema callistemon	North Auckland	T. C. Chambers	2n = 36
302. Araceae
Colocasia antiquorum
23 named varieties	New Caledonia		2n = 28
9 named varieties	Loyalty Islands		2n = 28
2 named varieties	New Caledonia	R. C. Cooper and others	2n = 42
6 unnamed varieties	New Hebrides		2n = 28
18 named varieties	Polynesia		2n = 28
1 unnamed variety	Cavalli Island, North Auckland	T. C. Chambers	2n = 42
313. Agavaceae
Cordyline australis	(Auckland Univ. College)		2n = 19II
C. banksii	(Auckland Univ. College)		2n = 19II
C. pumilio	(Auckland Univ. College)		2n = 19II
C. sp.	Three Kings Island, N. Auckland	G. T. S. Baylis	n = 19
C. terminalis	(Auckland, Private Garden)		n = c. 76
Taetsia neo-caledonica	New Caledonia	J. A. Rattenbury	2n = 38