The cytotaxonomy of Piptatherum kuoi (Stipeae, Poaceae)

The generic placement of Piptatherum kuoi (Poaceae, Stipeae) has long been controversial. Recent molecular phylogenetic analyses indicate that Piptatherum kuoi should be transferred to Patis . Here, we present cytological support for this transfer and discuss morphological differences and similarities. Piptatherum kuoi has a chromosome number of 2 n  = 46 with the chromosomes varying in length between 1.1 and 3.1 μm, and the symmetrical karyotype 2 n  = 26m + 16sm + 4st (2sat). Karyological characters of Piptatherum kuoi , including chromosome number, size, and karyotype asymmetry, thus all agree with those of species of Patis , but are different from those of other species of Piptatherum . The transfer of Piptatherum kuoi to Patis is thus corroborated.