Flavonoid chemistry of Fallopia sect. Reynoutria (Polygonaceae) in Korea

Abstract

Fifteen populations comprising three taxa and a putative hybrid of Fallopia sect. Reynoutria in Korea were examined for their leaf flavonoid constituents. Nineteen flavonoid compounds were isolated and identified; they were glycosylated derivatives of the flavonols quercetin and kaempferol, and of the flavones apigenin and luteolin. Among them, quercetin 3-O-galactoside and quercetin 3-O-glucoside were major flavonoid constituents, and present in all taxa. The flavonoid data appear to be very useful for taxon delimitation, and all taxa examined are readily distinguished by their flavonoid profiles. In addition, the flavonoid data suggest that the Nonsan population may be of hybrid origin involving F. japonica var. japonica, F. forbesii, and F. sachalinensis. In F. japonica var. japonica, there is no apparent correlation between their levels of polyploidy and flavonoid chemistry, but geographical variation of the flavonoid profiles among some populations was detected.