Chemotaxonomic studies in the Rubiaceae 2. Leaf flavonoids of New Zealand coprosmas

Abstract

Leaf flavonoids (including 22 new compounds) are reported for 47 named and unnamed species and subspecies of Coprosma from the New Zealand region and one species from Norfolk Island. The chemical data are compared with morphological and chromosomal data. Flavonoid glycosides are shown to be useful for the recognition of species, subspecies, and hybrids. C. banksii is shown to be the same as C. colensoi. The chemical data support a close relationship between C. baueri, C. petiolata, and C. repens. Relationship through polyploidy is suggested for four pairs of species. Leaf size exhibits no correlation with biochemical advancement or primitiveness.

Key Words:

• chemotaxonomy
• flavonoid glycosides
• paper chromatography
• chromosome numbers
• polyploidy
• Rubiaceae
• Coprosma
• New Zealand flora

Part I. New Zealand Journal of botany 17: 113–116, 1979.

Part I. New Zealand Journal of botany 17: 113–116, 1979.

Notes

Part I. New Zealand Journal of botany 17: 113–116, 1979.