Chromosome numbers in Impatiens (Balsaminaceae)

Abstract

Chromosome numbers were determined for 44 taxa of Impatiens. Ten of these are reported for the first time, of which one is the first record for a species native to Borneo. Chromosome numbers ranged from n = 3 to n = 24. Three new dysploid cytotypes were observed. A chromosome number of n = 17, previously recorded only from Thailand and Malaysia, was found in a South Indian taxon whose putative hybrid origin is discussed. The frequency of the different chromosome numbers occurring in the genus (n = 3 to n = 33) is summarized and dysploidy and polyploidy are discussed.