Colchicine is still a chemical marker for the expanded Colchicaceae

Abstract

Samples from 25 genera of the lily family, in its widest circumscription, were subjected to nanospray mass spectrometry analysis to investigate the presence of colchicine. This alkaloid has been proposed to have a restricted distribution within the former lilioid subfamily Wurmbeoideae. After the disintegration of the broadly circumscribed lily family this subfamily has been known as Colchicaceae. Phylogenetic analysis of lilioid monocotyledons has shown that the family Colchicaceae includes a number of genera previously not placed in Wurmbeoideae, eg. Burchardia, Disporum, Schelhammera, Tripladenia and Uvularia. By using the sensitive technique of nanospray mass spectrometry we here show that these genera do contain colchicine. In the case of Burchardia and Uvularia this is contrary to published reports. To test the assumption that colchicine is restricted to Colchicaceae we analysed samples from all genera in the family lacking information, or having conflicting reports, for colchicine content. We also sampled the closest relatives of the family according to phylogenetic results, and a number of genera with historical reports of colchicine presence. All samples from Colchicaceae contained colchicine, while none of the samples from genera in other families did. This implies that the biosynthesis of colchicine evolved within the common ancestor to Colchicaceae, and that this alkaloid may be regarded as a synapomorphic character for the family.