Chromosome numbers of two Colchicum L. species, C. burttii and C. balansae, from Turkey

Chromosome numbers and morphologies for Colchicum burttii Meikle and Colchicum balansae Planchon showing distribution in western Anatolia were studied. Squashing preparation method was used. The chromosome counting and morphologies of the species were determined by examining the mitosis prepared from root tips of plants. Chromosome number of C. burttii is 2n = 60 + 2B, showing that this species is hexaploid (x = 10). On the other hand, chromosome number of C. balansae is found as 2n = 90. Formerly, chromosome number of this species was reported as 2n = 32, 54 and 108. In conclusion, chromosome number of the sample obtained with this investigation is different from previous studies. 2n = 90 chromosome number is a basic polyploid (hexaploid) with x2 = 15 (15*6 = 90), involving the summation of the primary basic numbers, 7 and 8.