A karyological review of the orders Asparagales and Liliales (Monocotyledonae)

Abstract Karyology of the Asparagales and Liliales is reviewed with references to their morphology, embryology, DNA analyses, and other aspects. Asparagaceae, Ruscaceae, Dracenaceae, and Nolinaceae may share a common ancestor with x = 10, and Tecophilaeaceae, Cyanastraceae, and Ixioliriaceae with x = 12. Tricyrtis (Uvulariaceae) is karyologically similar to Tulipa, Gagea (Liliaceae) and Smilax (Smilacaceae); Clintonia (Uvulariaceae) to Medeola (Liliaceae); Prosartes and Streptopus (Uvulariaceae) to Calochortus (Calochortaceae); Scoliopus (Trilliaceae) to the Medeola‐Clintonia group or Calochortus‐Prosartes‐Streptopus group. The original chromosome size of the Asparagales and Liliales may be estimated as small.