Abstract

BOTANY, TAXONOMY AND CYTOLOGY OF CROCUS AND ITS ALLIES.

Dr. R. B. Saxena*

ABSTRACT

The genus crocus L. consists currently of about 160 recognized species, small, corm bearing, perennial species having an old world distribution, primarily in the Mediterranean- west Europe and NW Africa to w China, with the center of species diversity on the Balkan Peninsula and in Turkey. Recent phylogenetic analysis proved several infra-generic units with in the genus crocus to be para or poly-phylatic. In an attempt to arrive at a system of crocus that closely reflects species relationships, here phylogenetic, morphometric, geographic and nomenclatorial data for the species of narrower defined, monophyletic crocus series crocus. Crocus series crocus are closely related and are difficult to be separated taxonomically and havecomplex cytology. Botany, taxonomy of their species, infra-specific taxa, distribution, ecology, phenology, description, chromosome counts etc. are provided with key to their identification.

Keywords: Botany, Geographic area, Chromosome, Cytology, Phenology, Crocus and its Allies.