VALERIANA JATAMANSI

Six morphotypes were identified based on the leaf morphology (Figs. 5.12 & 5.13). Diversity analysis based on floral morphology and cytology was carried out and two types of morphovariants were detected within the six types. Three were female and others hermaphrodite. The concept of gynodioceum, reported to occur in this species, was not observed. 

The cytological analysis displayed two types among six chemotypes (Fig. 5.14). The morphotypes VJ1, VJ2 and VJ3 showed 28 chromosomes where remaining chemotypes showed 32 chromosomes. Chromosomal aberration was not found yet from the analyzed individuals. The basic chromosome of V. jatamansi was 2n=4x=28 or 32 and the population was a tetraploid. This explained the wide distribution and density along the undergrowth of pine forests. The cytological analysis could be correlated with the sexual nature of the plant.  The chemotypes, 2n=28 are female plant whereas 2n=32 were hermaphrodites. Two to three replicates were taken for genetic diversity analysis based on RAPD profile.