Karyomorphological studies in the genus Catharanthus

Abstract

Karyomorphological studies of Catharanthus pusillus and six varieties of Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don showed same diploid chromosome number i.e. 2n = 2x = 16. There was uniformity in the chromosome complement in all the types investigated. Based on total chromatin length feature, C. pusillus and white with red eye flowered variety of C. roseus revealed to be primitive and advanced respectively. Overall, white flowered variety of C. roseus was considered most advanced on account of its lower Symmetry Index percent value, Total Form percentage and Form percent value.