What is the Smell of the “Fruit Salad Plant”?: The Leaf Oil of Leionema ambiens (Rutaceae)

Abstract

The leaf oil of Leionema ambiens was analyzed by GC and GC/MS. It was found to contain (E)-β-ocimene (0.111%, the majority being >10%), (Z)-β-ocimene (0.1–4%, the majority >2%), viridiflorene (6–7%), bicyclogermacrene (6–13%), globulol (6–7%), viridiflorol (4–6%) and (E,E)-farnesol (14–23%) as major components. Lesser amounts of sesquiterpenes and aliphatic esters, the majority being present in trace amounts, were also present and presumably give the oil its fruity aroma.

Key Word Index:

• Leionema ambiens
• Rutaceae
• essential oil composition
• (E)-β-ocimene
• bicyclogermacrene
• (E,E)-farnesol