An accession of A. roylei (2n=16) procured from Gourwan district Udhampur of Jammu and Kashmir, India was studied for cytological details. Complex associations involving 4-16 chromosomes were observed in cells at diplotene and metaphase-I of meiosis. The anaphase-I segregations, however, were normal (8:8). Pollen stainability was high. Karyotypic studies, besides revealing heteromorphicity in chromosome pairs, also showed considerable differences in other quantitative parameters. Since frequency and type of chromosome associations during meiosis outnumber the number of heteromorphic chromosome pairs, interchanges involving small size or equal segments seem to have given rise to this cytotype of A. roylei.

The major flavonoid complement of leaves of the polyploid series Potentilla finitima Kohli & Packer (2n = 14), P. pensylvanica L. (2n = 28), and P. bipinnatifida Hook. (2n = 56) has been determined. Eleven flavonoid glycosides have been identified and their distribution within the polyploid series plotted and discussed. Evidence is presented for the occurrence of a 'recombinant' flavonoid in the species P. pensylvanica L.

Allium roylei Stearn of family Alliaceae is a potential gene reservoir harbouring genes imparting resistance against downy mildew and leaf blight. Except for one, all other populations of this species worked out, till date, are complex translocation heterozygotes. This bottleneck of sterility coupled with extrinsic pressures is threatening the very survival of this important species. This necessitates immediate enforcement of various conservation strategies to protect and proliferate this taxon. The present communication is a step towards these efforts.

Investigation of this complex has revealed in North America the presence of three chromosome numbers, 2n = 14, 2n = 28, and 2n = 56. The latter two are widespread and correspond to the previously recognized species P. pensylvanica L. and P. bipinnatifida Hook. The diploid, which is rather local in distribution, compares well with the description of P. atrovirens Rydb. and has on occasions been determined as such. The type specimen of P. atrovirens is, however, clearly a form of P. pensylvanica and the diploid has never received formal taxonomic recognition. It is described here and named Potentilla finitima Kohli and Packer n.sp.