Contribution to the study of wild Orchidaceae, genus Platanthera L.C.M. Richard. Karyotype and C-banding analysis of two species from Italy

This study examined the chromosome numbers and karyotypes of two taxa of the genus Platanthera (Orchidaceae) from Italy. Cytological analyses showed 2n = 2x = 42 in P. chlorantha and P. algeriensis. Karyotype analysis revealed similarity between the species. The karyotypes are as follows: P. chlorantha consists of 34 metacentric + 8 submetacentric pairs and P. algeriensis consists of 36 metacentric + 6 submetacentric pairs. Both species possess a rather symmetrical karyotype. P. chlorantha has a very similar C-banding pattern to P. algeriensis. DAPI bright blocks were observed in P. chlorantha. These analyses also show the close relationship between the studied species