Taxonomy of the genus Brimeura (Hyacinthaceae)

A taxonomic reevaluation of two little-known Brimeura taxa, B. fontqueri (P AU) SPETA and B. duvigneaudii (L. LLORENs) ROSSELLO et al., has been made. Brimeura fontqueri, described from the Iberian peninsula. has been put into synonymy of B. amethystina (L.) SALISB., since it could not be distinguish ed on morphological, anatomical or cytogenetic grounds. Brimeura duvigneaud ii, from the Balearic Islands, is closely related to B. amethystina and has 2n=28 chromosomes. It differs from the latter by its naked bulbs lacking d ark cataphylls, and its narrower leaves and whitish corollas. Accessory chr omosomes are reported for the first time in the genus. Karyological instabi lity (with chromosome numbers ranging from 2n=28 to 42) is reported for a p opulation of B. fastigiata (VIV.) CHOUARD. A key to the recognized taxa of Brimeura is provided.