Cytotaxonomy of Liliales

AbstractOn the basis of cytological data and with consideration of a wide literature, the taxonomy of Liliales as delimited by Hutchinson are represented. A review about phylogeny of Liliaceae in different systems is given. In the main part a great number of tribes of Liliaceae are treated with regard to delimitation, affinities and evolution. Further a cytological assessement of evolution and interrelationships of different families of Liliales with Liliaceae were indicated. Ultimately the lines of evolution of Liliaceae were debated. Especially e. g. the following more important conclusions were outlined:The primitive tribe Heloniadeae might have descended from Juncaginaceae. The potentiality of Asphodeleae as the progenitor of different tribes of Liliacae has been confirmed. The tribe Ophiopogoneae is quite homogeneous, whereas the tribe Hemerocalleae has been indicated as an unnatural group, and some genera are transfered under Agavales. The origin of Amaryllidaceae from Tulipeae and Hemerocallideae is confirmed. Agapantheae is an advanced representative of the subfamily Allioideae of Amaryllidaceae. InPolygonatumthe “latifolium” type of “alternifolia” represents the primitive state with 9 or 10 as basic chromosome number. The midtertiary origin ofSmilacinahas been supported.Disporumof pleistocene origin is likely to have given rise toPolygonatumthrough diminution in chromosome size and asymmetry on the one hand andSmilacinaon the other, with increase in asymmetry. Asiatic species ofDisporumrepresenting the most primitive form and have been reponsible for the evolution of the American species ofDisporumand in another line of Aspidistreae, Convallarieae, and Peliosantheae. The creation of the tribes Dianelleae and Veratreae is supported. With the exclusion ofCalochortusandLloydia, Tulipeae would represent a homogeneous grouping. In Scilleae,Scilla sibiricawith n = 6 chromosomes represents a primitive form.Muscariis to be separated into three genera. The Tulipeae should be divided into several assemblages which represents origin from a common stock.