Species from two genera belonging to the Alstroemeriaceae, Bomarea and Leontochir, were cytogenetically studied and compared to determine their detailed karyotypic composition. Bomarea is a polytypic genus represented by 100 species, with a distribution range from Mexico and Antilles (24 degrees N) to Argentina (29 degrees S).and Chile (17-40 degrees S). In contrast Leontochir is a monotypic genus, endemic to the coastal area of the Atacama Desert in Chile (28 degrees S). Bomarea salsilla, B. involucrosa, and Leontochir ovallei have a karyotype 2n = 18 with similar chromosome morphology. These data confirm the close relationship between both genera, suggested by earlier studies.