New Zealand Journal of Botany abstracts

---

Short communication

New observations on chromosome number variation in Hibiscus trionum s.l. (Malvaceae) and their implications for systematics and conservation

B. G. Murray

School of Biological Sciences
The University of Auckland
Private Bag 92019
Auckland Mail Centre
Auckland 1142, New Zealand
b.murray@auckland.ac.nz

L. A. Craven

Australian National Herbarium
Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research
CSIRO Plant Industry
GPO Box 1600
Canberra ACT 2601, Australia

P. J. de Lange

Terrestrial Conservation Unit
Department of Conservation
Private Bag 68906
Newton, Auckland 1145, New Zealand

Abstract Chromosome numbers have been determined for plants of Hibiscus trionum L. s.l. from nine locations: two in New Zealand, five in Australia, and two in Africa. Two different numbers were obtained, one diploid with 2n = 28 and the other tetraploid with 2n = 56. The diploids were found in New Zealand and coastal New South Wales, all the other populations were tetraploid. Based on these observations, and plant morphology, especially flower shape and pigmentation patterns, the recent (1988) conclusion that all New Zealand morphs of H. trionum are naturalised is challenged and the morphs present different conservation options.

Keywords Malvaceae; Hibiscus trionum; chromosome number; polyploidy

B08015; Online publication date 29 July 2008; Received 1 May 2008; accepted 1 July 2008

New Zealand Journal of Botany, 2008, Vol. 46: 315–319
0028–825X/08/4603–0315 © The Royal Society of New Zealand 2008

PDF file of entire paper: Print-quality (2164K) | screen-quality (503K)