Abstract

The root-tips of 14 species belonging to 9 genera and 6 tribes of Liliaceae ( Hutchinson,1959 ) have been examined in order to observe their somatic chromosomes. A total of 7 taxa are reported here for the first time. The somatic cells of Disporum shimadai have 2n=16, which is reported from Taiwan as a new number. The basic numbers and karyotypes of the genera Aspidistra (X=18) and Campylandra (X=19) are different from each other, and this is correlated with their differences in external features. It is suggested that the genus Campylandra should be excluded from the tribe Aspidistreae, The karyotypes of Aspidistra and Peliosanthes are almost identical. It is possible that these two genera may have been derived from a common ancestor. Possibly a new taxon of Aspidistra has been collected from Mt.Ta-wu, it differs from other species in its karyotype as well as in its external morphology. It needs further study. In the present study, there are found to be only two species of Peliosanthes instead of three in Taiwan, these are P. arisanensis Hay. And P. kaoi Ohwi.