Transfer of bipiperidyl and quinolizidine alkaloids toViscum cruciatum Sieber (Loranthaceae) hemiparasitic onRetama sphaerocarpa boissier (Leguminosae)

Abstract

Plant material ofViscum cruciatum Sieber contains bipiperidyl (ammodendrine) and quinolizidine alkaloids (lupanine, 5,6-dehydrolupanine, retamine, cytisine,N-methylcytisine). This plant obtains the alkaloids by root parasitism onRetama sphaerocarpa Boissier (host plant). These results have important implications forViscum ecology, for the study of herbivores that areViscum specialists, and in the development of systems for the investigation of the role of alkaloids as plant defenses.