Unveiling the chromosomal architecture of Stemona tuberosa Lour.: first report of its karyotype and intra-generic investigation

The present investigation aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the chromosomal architecture of Stemona tuberosa Lour, a plant species of high ethnobotanical significance belonging to the family Stemonceae. The study entailed a thorough examination of the chromosome number, which was determined to be 2n=14, with a basic number of X=7. Based on Stebbins’s categorization, the karyotype of S. tuberosa falls under 1B category, which indicates a relatively lower degree of asymmetry in chromosome complements. Moreover, the study also comprises various other karyomorphological indices, which may act as a significant key for intra-generic investigation of other species in the future. These findings offer new insights into the chromosomal makeup of S. tuberosa and could have potential implications for the conservation and utilization of this plant species.