Comparative cytotaxonomic studies in the Alstroemeria werdermannii Bayer complex (Alstroemeriaceae), endemic to northern Chile.

Abstract Alstroemeria is a genus endemic to South America, with a wide distribution in Brazil and Chile. There are many taxonomic uncertainties or species complexes that make its taxonomy complicated. This is a genus of enormous importance in ornamental horticulture and one of the most important as cultivation and cutting plants. In Chile, there are 39 species and 11 complexes, being one of them Alstroemeria werdermannii, which presents two geographically separated varieties recognized for their distinct flower morphology and coloration differences. The chromosomes from both varieties (var. werdermannii and var. flavicans) were compared. Chromosomes were measured with the assistance of the software MicroMeasure 3.3. For each population analyzed (10 metaphase plates), the intrachromosomal asymmetry index MCA and the interchromosomal asymmetry index CVCL were used. The data obtained in this investigation indicate that the three analyzed populations of A. werdermannii have the same karyotype, i.e. 2m + 2sm + 2st-sat + 2t-sat. No differences in chromosome architecture were found among the varieties. This means that the chromosome set of all analyzed populations is identical, independent of the variety; yet, their different distribution and flower coloration makes it possible to recognize them as varieties.