Chromosome counts in Stachys inflata Benth. (Laminoideae): Chromosome number variation in different populations from Iran

Original chromosomes counts are reported for 13 populations of Stachys inflata Benth. (Laminoideae). All samples were collected from the West Provinces of Iran. Chromosome numbers in the species varied from 2n=2x=16 to 2n=4x=32. Five populations with chromosome number 2n=4x=32 were detected that was accordance with a unique existence prior report. A population with both diploid and tetraplod plants (2n=2x=16 and 2n=4x=32) was found in the studied area. The present finding of diploid plants of the species was documented here for the first time. Additionally, six populations that had both tripliod and tetraploid individuals (2n=3x=24 and 2n=4x=32) were also the first finding in this species. Another population of S. inflata showed intrapopulational three different chromosome numbers such as 2n=2x=16, 2n=3x=24 and 2n=4x=32 new and rare exceptional case. The results indicated that the intraspecific polyploidy was confirmed as the most significant evolutionary trend within this species.