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squashed root tips of cultivated bulbs, pre-treated with 0.3 % colchicine water solu-
tion for 3 hours and fixed in ethanol-acetic acid (3:1) for 6 hours, then hydrolyzed in
1N HCl for 7' and stained according to the Feulgen method (BoGDANOVIC & al. , 2008).
Metaphase observations and chromosome measurements were made using the image
analysis systems IKAROS 4.6 (Metasystem) and Zeiss AxioVision 5.1. Karyotyping
was done with the specialist software Cromolab© 1.1 (BRULLO 2002-2003) which was
used to recognize homologues, arder chromosomes by size and classify them accord-
ing to morphology and centromere position (LEVAN & al. 1964). Ten mitotic plates
from five individuals were used far determining the karyotype parameters. Mea-
surements of each chromosome were processed by an excel worksheet to calculate
mean and standard deviation of long and short arm lengths (satellites included), ab-
salute and relative lengths, arm ratio and centromeric index. To estimate the kar-
yotype asymmetry different numerica! parameters were calculated, such as cate-
gories of STEBBINS 1971, REC and SYi (GREILHUBER & SPETA 1976), TF% (HuzrWARA
1962), A1 and A2 (ROMERO ZARco 1986), DI (LAVANIA & SRIVASTAVA 1992), CVc1, CVcL
and A1 index (PASZKO 2006).

The leaf anatomy was studied on cultivated plant material from the
type locality, fixed in Karpechenko solution and embedded in paraffin; the
transverse sections were double stained with ruthenium red and light
green.

3. Results

3.1. Prospero hierae C. BRULLO, S. BRULLO, Grusso, PAVONE & SALMERI spec.
nova (Fig. l)

Diagnosis: A Prospero autumnali differt scapo breviore, paucifloro,
foliis glaucis, brevioribus, planis, adultis convolutis, perigonio parviore,
tepalis exterioribus ovatis, acutis, interioribus oblongis, rotundatis, sta-
minibus brevioribus, ovario longiore, obpyriformi, capsula subglobosa,
maculata.

Holotypus: Sicilia, Marettimo, P.ta Troia, litorale roccioso-calcareo,
8.10.1982 , BRULLO S ., CAT.

Description: Bulb ovoid, 1.5-2.5 x 1-1.5 cm with outer tunics mem-
branaceous, brown, the inner ones whitish. Leaves 7-8, glaucous, 4- 6 cm
long, 1-1.5 mm wide, flat in the adaxial face, convex and ribbed in the
abaxial one, convolute and prostrate at maturity (Fig. 3B). Stems solitary
or paired, 4- 10 cm tall, erect to procumbent. Pedicels 3-8 mm long. Raceme
1- 3 cm long, provided with 4-12 flowers. Perigone stellate, 3.5-4 mm in
diameter. Tepals white-liliaceous to liliaceous, with mibrid violet, outer
ones ovate, acute at the apex, 4-4.3 x 2.3- 2.5 mm, inner ones oblong,
rounded at apex, 3.5-4 x 1.7-2 mm. Stamens equal, 3- 3.4 mm long, fila-
ments white below and liliaceous above, anthers dark violet, 1.2-1.3 mm
long. Ovary white, obpyriform, 2 x 1.7 mm. Style liliaceous, 1.4-1.5 mm
long, with stigma papillose. Capsule subglobose, dark green-glaucous,
maculate with purple, 3.5 mm in diameter.