VACUOLAR AND EXUDATE FLAVONOIDS OF NEW-ZEALAND CASSINIA (ASTERACEAE, GNAPHALIEAE)

The exudate and vacuolar flavonoid profiles of four species (five taxa) of New Zealand Cassinia were established. The exudate chemistry consists of chalcones, dihydrochalcones and flavanones, several of which lack B-ring oxygenation, and quercetin 3-O- and 7-O-methyl ethers. Vacuolar flavonoids include galangin, eriodictyol-7-O-methyl ether, and a series of kaempferol and quercetin glycosides. Several combinations of these compounds occur in the taxa studied. Limited common garden studies suggest that the flavonoid profiles from the different areas may be fixed. Differences in distribution of flavonoids could be taken as evidence for recognition of several taxa in contrast to the view that only one variable species exists in New Zealand.