Karyomorphological studies in two species of genus Strychnos L. significant in ethno-pharmacological aspects

In the present investigation, Strychnos nux vomica L. and Strychnos wallichiana Steud. ex A. DC. have been selected for karyotypic investigation to strengthen genetic relationships. Chromosome number recorded in S.nux vomica is 2n=32 while in S. wallichianais 2n=40. In both species A-type, B-type and C-type chromosomes were observed with 28 metacentric chromosomes and 4 sub-metacentric in S. nux vomica and 38 metacentric and 2 sub-metacentric chromosomes in S. wallichiana. The total form per cent (T.F %), Dispersion Index (DI), Asymmetry index (AI) depict the symmetric karyotype of chromosomes which represents their primitive level in the family.