CHROMOSOME NUMBERS FOR SOME STELLARIA L. (CARYOPHYLLACEAE) SPECIES AND RELATED TAXA IN IRAN

Choromosome counts are reported from 23 population representing three genera and 8 taxa of the subfamily Alsinoideae (Caryophyllaceae) from Iran. Chromosome numbers are given for 6 taxa of Stellaria (Caryophyllaceae) and some related genera in Iran: Stellaria pallida (2n=2x=22), S. holostea (2n=2x=26), S.gaminea (2n=2x=26), S. persica (2n=28), S. alsinoides (2n=2x=30), S. media (2n=4x=40,42,44);  Myosoton aquaticum (2n=28) and Mesostemma kotschyanum subsp. kotschyanum (2n=32). The chromosome counts for the following species are reported for the first time: S. persica, S. alsinoides  and Mesostemma kotschyanum subsp. kotschyanum. The species of the genus Stellaria are divided into tetraploid and diploid groups.  Observed chromosome numbers are mainly in concordant with previous data for the world.