The essential oil of wild and cultivated Hoslundia opposita Vahl . from Zimbabwe

Hoslundia opposita Vahl. , Labiatae from two wild sites of Zimbabwe, Chivhu and Mvuma, and from a cultivated site in Harare, was hydrodistilled and the essential oil analysed by GC and GC‐MS. The essential oil composition from both wild and cultivated plants had eugenol (55.1–76.2%) and β ‐caryophyllene (6.5–8.5%) as the major components. Two chemotypes were identied. In addition to eugenol and β ‐caryophyllene as major components, the chemotype from Chivhu also contained ( Z )‐ β ‐ocimene (3.5–4.3%) and Germacrene‐D (2.1–4.6%) whilst that from Mvuma contained α ‐humulene (6.4–7.6%) and ( E )‐ β ‐ocimene (2.1–2.5%). Caryophyllene oxide (1.6–2.9%), trans ‐ α ‐bergamotene (2.0–2.3%), β ‐bisabolene (1.1–1.6%), geraniol (0.7–2.3%) and 1,8‐cineole (2.6–4.4%) were important minor components in the oils. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.