Chromosome counts for eight species of Pilocarpus Vahl (Rutaceae) a native of Brazil are reported for the first time. Chromosome numbers were determined from mitotic root tip cells of seedlings derived from field collections and grown in the greenhouse. Feulgen staining was used. Initial pre-treatment of root tips was done by using a saturated aqueous solution of alpha-bromonapthalene for two hours at room temperature (20-25ºC). Chromosome numbers of 2n=44 and 2n=88 were determined for the examined taxa. The present results suggest the occurrence of tetraploidy in P. spicatus St.-Hil. and P. carajaensis Skorupa, and a possible basic number x=22 to the genus Pilocarpus.
Pilocarpus; Rutaceae; Cusparieae; cytology; polyploidy