The chromosome numbers are given for 20 angiosperm taxa, most of which grow predominately or exclusively on serpentine in Greece, and the karyotype morphology is illustrated in all cases but one. Chromosome data are provided for the first time for ten taxa (Alyssum pogonocarpum, Centaurea charrellii, C. vlachorum, Cephalaria fanourii, Matricaria tempskyana, Onosma stridii, Scorzonera doriae, Silene fabarioides, S. salamandra, Trinia glauca ssp. pindica) and for the endemic monospecific genus Leptoplax. A new number is reported for Thymus teucrioides ssp. candilicus. An unexpected dysploid number is recorded for a population of Leontodon hispidus ssp. hispidus. Chromosome number and karyotype details from Greek populations are presented for the rest of the taxa. Chromosomal evidence supports close relationships among members of Onosma subsect. Asterotricha. The unusual chromosome number of Centaurea vlachorum supports its placement either in C. sect. Jacea or C. sect. Cyanus. The evolution of taxa in sections Vierhapperia, Pulvinares, and Nervosae of Scorzonera appears to be connected with particular chromosomal rearrangements and dysploidy. Leptoplax does not share the same chromosome number with Peltaria but with Bornmuellera instead, something that facilitates infrageneric hybridization. Further issues of taxonomy, distribution, evolution and conservation of serpentine species are briefly discussed where appropriate.
The genus Bellevalia is represented in Greece by eight taxa, three of which are endemic. Bellevalia brevipedicellata (2n = 8) and B. sitiaca (2n = 16) are restricted to the island of Kriti, while B. hyacinthoides (2n = 8, 12) is distributed in the Kiklades Islands, the central and southern mainland and the Ionian Islands. Four taxa, i.e. B. dubia subsp. boissieri (2n = 8), B. trifoliata (2n = 8), B. romana (2n = 8) and B. ciliata (2n = 8, 16) are Mediterranean elements. The presence of B. edirnensis (2n = 24) is reported as new for the Greek flora. New ploidy levels of three Bellevalia species (triplo-, tetra-and hexaploids) are reported for the first time. The main morphological features, the chromosome numbers, the karyotype morphology, as well as the geographical distribution and further issues of taxonomy and conservation of all Bellevalia taxa in Greece are presented and discussed.
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