PHENOLIC CHARACTERS OF BRITISH HYBRID TAXA IN EQUISETUM SUBGENUS EQUISETUM

Equisetum hybrids (Equisetaceae) are known from different localities i n the British Isles but have been described so far only on morphologic al characters. Data on the phenolic constituents (caffeic acid conjuga tes, flavonoids, styrylpyrones), determined by HPLC and TLC are presen ted as chemical characters of the hybrids and their sympatric parents. The total detectable profile of phenolics is considered and the struc tures of all compounds have been proven. Their retention characteristi cs in a standard HPLC system are given. The hybrids tend to produce, i n a single plant, characteristics of both parental taxa. These cryptic characters provide evidence in support of Equisetum hybrids.