Chromosome study of Galium elegans and G. asperifolium (Rubiaceae) from Yunnan, China

The somatic chromosome of two taxa, Galium elegans Wall. ex Roxb(Sect. Cymogaliea Pobed) and Galium asperifolium Wall. ex Roxb(Sect. Leptogalium Lang), in Yunnan, China were investigated. The taxa were reported for the first time. The somatic chromosome numbers of G. elegans was 2n = 22(X = 11), diploid, from two regions, Mt. Canghsan and Hutiaoxia Valley. Those of G. asperifolium were found as 2n = 33, 44, 55(X = 11) with triploid, tetraploid, pentaploid. Most of G. elegans in the Yunnan were confirmed as diploid. The somatic chromosome number of G. asperifolium was found polyploidy, and the investigation revealed that triploid and tetraploid are living together as mixed population in the Mt. Canghsan.