HEXAPLOIDY AND FERTILITY INTERRELATIONSHIPS IN ALOYSIA LYCIOIDES (VERBENACEAE)

Two specimens of A. lycioides available in the Medicinal Plant Garden of the University of Maringa, Maringa (PR), Brazil, were analysed in r elation to chromosome number and seed viability. Both showed 2n = 54 c hromosomes. When this number was compared to that of the previous repo rt (2n = 36 and 2n = 72 chromosomes) it suggests 9 as the basic number for the genus Aloysia. Thus, the specimens of A. lycioides analysed a re hexaploids, The hexaploidy is reinforced by multiple chromosome ass ociations with hexavalents observed previously in the same plants. The seed viability tested in different conditions was very low. The cause of low fertility in A. lycioides may be explained on the basis of a h igh level of ploidy.