Use of Chives for the Study of Meiosis

 

Albert D. Robinson

Tested Studies in Laboratory Teaching, 1992, Volume 13

Abstract

Chives, Allium shoenoprasum, can easily be grown in a garden or in a flower pot. Chives in pots can be “forced” to produce flowers in the winter by exposing the plants to increased light exposure. The inflorescence of chives is an umbel, and within the floral head one can find buds at different stages of development. The chromosomes (8 pairs) are relatively large and easily stained with orcein or hematoxylin without pretreatment or fixation (although fixed materials may be used).

Keywords:  meiosis

University of Wyoming, Laramie (1991)