The somatic chromosome numbers were counted in seven species of the subtribe Erantheminae from various localities in China. The chromosome numbers were determined as 2n=2x=28 in Echinacanthus lofouensis, Ec. longipes and Ec. longzhouensis, 2n=8x=88 in Eranthemum austrosinense, 2n=4x=44 in Er. pulchellum, 2n=2x=28 in Leptosiphonium venustum and 2n=2x=28 in Pararuellia glomerata. Combined with existing reports, it is inferred that x=14 may represent the original basic chromosome number for Echinacanthus and Pararuellia, and x=11 for Eranthemum. The results support the close relationship between Echinacanthus and other genera of Erantheminae. This study enriches the cytogenetic data for seven species and provides a basis for the taxonomy of four genera in terms of chromosomal characteristics.
Cao et al. (Tue,) studied this question.