Chromosome Numbers in the Chilean Endemic Genus Leucocoryne (Huilli)

Few cytological studies have been conducted on the endemic Chilean genus Leucocoryne, which is comprised of 14 species and a number of populations whose taxonomy has not been elucidated. Eleven species/populations of Leucocoryne have been examined cytologically and L. ixioides (Hook.) Lindl., L. coquimbensis var coquimbensis F.Phil., L. narcissoides R. Phil., L. sp. 'Alcones', L. sp. 'Talinay' and L. sp. 'Combarbalá' were observed to be 2n = 18; L. purpurea Gay, L. sp. 'Ñague', L. sp. 'Alicahue' and L. sp. 'Pichicuy' are 2n = 10 and L. coquimbensis var alba had 2n = 14. Furthermore, a natural hybrid population of L. purpurea and L. coquimbensis var coquimbensis had individuals with 2n = 14 and 2n = 22 chromosomes in addition to the normal complement of 2n = 10 and 2n = 18. The results indicate that Leucocoryne with the exception of L. coquimbensis var alba is typically either 2n = 10 or 2n = 18 with a similar number of species or populations at each ploidy level. Furthermore, the hybrid population demonstrated that there is gene flow between the species at different ploidy levels.