Leaf flavonoid patterns in the genusTricyrtis(Tricyrtidaceaesensu stricto, Liliaceaesensu lato)

Abstract

In a leaf flavonoid aglycone survey of 19Tricyrtisspecies, the flavone luteolin was detected in 16% of the taxa and the flavonols myricetin, quercetin, kaempferol and isorhamnetin in 32%, 63% and 68% and 58% of the sample, respectively. Kaempferol occurred more frequently than quercetin in sectionsHirtaeandTricyrtis. SectionBrachycyrtiswas characterized by the presence of luteolin, while flavones were absent from sectionsFlavae,HirtaeandTricyrtis. Myricetin was found only inT. formosanaandT. hirta(sectionHirtae) and inT. affinisandT. macropoda(sectionTricyrtis). This is the first report of myricetin inTricyrtisand in the Liliales. Also the co-occurrence of flavones and flavonols within the same plant, as inT. ishiianavar.surugensisandT. macrantha, is a rare event in this order. The flavonoid data are congruent with data from morphology, anatomy and molecular analysis in indicating the separation of sectionBrachycyrtisfrom the other three sections and in supporting a close relationship between sectionsHirtaeandTricyrtis.