Karyomorphology of Sinadoxa (Adoxaceae) and its systematic significance

Karyomorphology of Sinadoxa corydalifolia and the karyotype of the diploid Adoxa moschatellina are investigated for the first time. Karyomorphological data indicate that Sinadoxa is directly akin to other two genera of the Adoxaceae, rather than related to Araliales; and three genera of the Adoxaceae should be a natural group. The karyomorphological combinations of the Adoxaceae delimit it from all taxa assumed to be related to it. The karyotype characteristics of all taxa of the Adoxaceae are compared and summarized. The mechanisms of speciation in the Adoxaceae are discussed.