Chromosome numbers in Kunzea (Myrtaceae)
P. J. de Lange A C and B. G. Murray BA Science & Research Unit, Department of Conservation, Private Bag 68908, Newton, Auckland, New Zealand.
B School of Biological Sciences, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand.
C Corresponding author. Email: pdelange@doc.govt.nz
Australian Journal of Botany 52(5) 609-617 https://doi.org/10.1071/BT04060
Submitted: 3 May 2004 Accepted: 9 July 2004 Published: 25 October 2004
Abstract
Documented chromosome counts are reported for the first time for nine Kunzea species and two varieties. Confirmatory counts are provided for K. sinclairii. Counts are also documented for a further nine unnamed variants of the Australasian K. ericoides complex. In addition, counts and chromosome-pairing behaviour are reported for eight putative wild New Zealand Kunzea hybrids, including one example of ×Kunzspermum hirakimata, and artificial hybrids from 21 controlled crosses (18 Kunzea and two controlled Kunzea × Leptospermum). Some chromosomal variation is evident in the New Zealand members of the K. ericoides complex, which helps to support the recognition of additional taxa within this aggregate species.
Acknowledgments
We warmly thank Brian Molloy, Phil Knightbridge, Peter Heenan and Tom Myers for the provision of live plants of K. ericoides primarily from the South Island, New Zealand. We thank Hellmut Toelken (Adelaide Botanic Gardens) for his encouragement, advice and field assistance and especially for allowing our participation in his Kunzea studies. Murray Dawson and Paul Datson kindly commented on the text. For herbarium assistance, we especially thank Mei Nee Lee (AK) for the prompt accessioning of chromosome voucher specimens.
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