Cytology ofTradescantia Sillamontana

Abstract

The plants species of Tradescantia sillamontana Matuda is known as a tetraploid 2 n = 24. The cytology of tetraploid forms reported here showed polymorphism in the somatic chromosomes. During meiosis uni—, bi—, tri-, and multivalents (IV, VI, VIII, X and XII) were formed in various proportions. A majority of the multivalents were rings. A very high percentage of fertile pollen was formed presumably as a result of directed orientation and segregation of the chromosomes. The differences in the cytology of the three tetraploid forms investigated so far is presumed to be due to the geographical variation under the influence of which the plants are undergoing chromosome evolution by spontaneous structural rearrangements.