Article

Independence of the genera Merendera and Bulbocodium has been discussed for almost a century. In recent studies the monophyly of the genus Androcymbium has been questioned as well. This work attempts to analyze peculiarities of the geographic distribution, ecology, flower morphology (the structure of the stamens and stillodia), and chromosome numbers of the species of Merendera and Bulbocodium. The data obtained by this study are farther compared to the published data on the genera Colchicum and Androcymbium. As a result of this investigation new important distinctions among the questionable genera were found. Most important are the evolutionary trends in their pollination system, such as intensification of the tendency toward cross pollination across entire species range of the questionable genera. This trends was likely connected to the secondary development (or preservation) of their apopetalous corolla. It defined peculiarities of the genera Merendera and Bulbocodium, their ecological niche preferences, dispersal abilities, developmental features and speciation. On the basis of these findings the author concludes that the status of Merendera and Bulbocodium should be preserved and they should be recognized as independent genera.