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THE FLAVONOIDS OF THE DECIDUOUS RHODODENDRON OF NORTH AMERICA (ERICACEAE)
Author(s) -
King Bruce L.
Publication year - 1977
Publication title -
american journal of botany
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.218
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1537-2197
pISSN - 0002-9122
DOI - 10.1002/j.1537-2197.1977.tb15737.x
Subject(s) - biology , ericaceae , flavonols , subgenus , botany , intraspecific competition , aglycone , flavonoid , population , glycoside , genus , ecology , biochemistry , demography , sociology , antioxidant
The native Azaleas of North America ( Rhododendron : subgenus Pentanthera ) produce 58 flavonoids in five aglycone classes: flavonols, dihydroflavonols, flavanones, dihydrochalcones and chalcones. A comparison of the flavonoids of selected samples of these species indicated that the compounds generally occur as species specific ensembles. Species were grouped into “alliances” based on common flavonoid constituents and a phylogenetic treatment of the group was developed. Evolutionary trends of flavonoids within subgenus Pentanthera are not well‐defined but appear to be associated with a loss of the ability to synthesize some compounds and a decrease in diversity of glycosides and methoxylated flavonoids. Intraspecific variation in flavonoids was found in Rhododendron canescens, R. alabamense and R. austrinum when these were sampled on a population basis.