Essential Oil of Some Halophyle and Subhalophyle Taxa Artemisia L. from the Central European Mediterranean

Abstract

An analysis is presented of the essential oil of various populations of four similar taxa of the Artemisia L. genus, which colonize salty and subsalty lands [A. caerulescens L. subsp. caerulescens, A. caerulescens L. subsp. cretacea (Fiori) Brilli-Catt. et Gubell., A. densiflora Viv. and A. gallica Willd.]. Their variation was assessed, regarding the systematic similarities as well, which were interpreted in various ways. GC and GC/MS analyses of the oils revealed the constant presence of α and β-thujone and camphor; these results substantially confirm the most recent systematic interpretation, highlighting a notable similarity between the two A. caerulescens subspecies and between A. densiflora and A. gallica.

Key Word Index:

• A. caerulescens L. ssp. caerulescens
• A. caerulescens L. ssp. cretacea
• A. densiflora
• A. gallica
• Compositae
• essential oil composition
• α-thujone
• β-thujone
• camphor
• terpinen-4-ol
• isoborneol
• camphene