Investigations on the Karyotype of 40 Chromosome Dwarf Bearded Irises (Third Contribution)

SUMMARYThe study of 40 chromosome dwarf bearded Irises, reported in previous papers, has now been extended to the localities of Monte Marcello, Pozzuolo, San Giuliano Terme, Gabbro, Braccagni, Alberese, La Marsiliana along the banks of the river Albegna and La Marsiliana-Pietricci. A common karyotype, showing slight differences, according to the clones examined and generally referring to the satellites, has been evidenced by means of karyological investigation. In addition to this a brief morphological analysis of the specimens has been carried out at flowering in the Hortum Botanicum Florentinum. The data recorded in Table I show that it is impossible to distinguish different entities in the group of the Irises studied, through karyological analysis. This seems to be confirmed by the few morphological data. More detailed morphological analysis and possibly an investigation on the behaviour of the hybrids, would seem at the moment to be the only way to solve this problem

Species of natural hybrid origin and misinformation in the Irises: A reappraisal of the presence of I. aphylla L. in Italy

The identity and status of the records of Iris aphylla L. for Italy are reconsidered. The authors are of the opinion that I. perrieri Simonet ex N. Service, present in Savoy, France, is genetically and morphologically distinct from I. aphylla, and that the Italian populations from Piemonte are in fact conspecific with I. perrieri. In addition, we consider that another iris, I. benacensis A. Kern. ex Stapf , which occurs near Lago di Garda (Mt. Brione) and is often also regarded as a synonym of I. aphylla, is not conspecific with either I. aphylla or I. perrieri. Macro-, micro-morphological and biosystematic data obtained during this investigation suggest a possible natural hybrid origin of these species and confirm the opinion of the authors, which is justified also by the different chromosome numbers and distribution of the taxa examined. © 2008 Società Botanica Italiana