CHEMOSYSTEMATICS OF UMBELLIFERAE - A GENERAL SURVEY

Some 300 umbellifer species, representing 52 per cent of the genera of the family, have been surveyed for their leaf phenolics, using both fresh and herbarium tissue. The results show that, with few exceptions, species can be divided into two groups, those with flavone (usually luteolin) and those with flavonol (kaempferol and/or quercetin). These groupings are mainly of interest at the generic level but are also related to tribal divisions and may be of phylogenetic significance in the family. Other classes of flavonoid are rare: leucocyanidin was detected once in Apiastrum, and the glucoxanthone mangiferin once in Heptaptera. Furanocoumarins were found in the leaves mainly of Angelica, Peucedanum and Seseli species but a survey of seeds of 130 species showed that these compounds were widespread in the family, some correlation with tribal divisions being apparent. Examination of the Umbelliferae for presence of polyacetylenes, simple hydroxycoumarins and the rare sugars, apiose and umbelliferose, has shown that these substances are widespread and consequently of little systematic interest within the family. Soluble proteins and the enzymes peroxidase and esterase present in the seed of selected species from all tribes in the Apioideae were studied by acrylamide gel electrophoresis. Distinct differences in patterns were found to be present at the tribal and generic levels. In some cases, the macromolecular supported the micromolecular data in conforming generic separations. The general value of the various chemical characters in the systematics of the family is discussed. © 1970.