Polyploidy in Sporobolus virginicus (L.) Kunth
- 1 January 1979
- journal article
- research article
- Published by CSIRO Publishing in Australian Journal of Botany
- Vol. 27 (4) , 429-437
- https://doi.org/10.1071/bt9790429
Abstract
Chromosome number and meiotic behaviour was examined in Sporobolus virginicus Kunth from south-eastern Australia. Var. minor Bail. forms a polyploid complex with diploid (2n = 20), triploid and tetraploid cytotypes. Meiosis in tetraploid plants of this variety is substantially normal, which indicates an alloploid origin. Var. virginicus, which has been found only in the tetraploid state, has irregular meiotic division, which suggests autoploidy. Most cytotypes were collected from sandy and well-drained situations along the coast. However, tetraploid var. minor plants were generally found in poorly aerated salt marsh swamps. This apparent edaphic adaption of tetraploid cytotypes may be important in explaining distribution patterns.Keywords
This publication has 1 reference indexed in Scilit:
- CHROMOSOME NUMBERS AND SOME MORPHOLOGICAL ATTRIBUTES OF VARIOUS SOUTH AFRICAN GRASSESAmerican Journal of Botany, 1960