LEAF FLAVONOIDS OF ACTINIDIA

Leaf flavonoid chemistry of 22 taxa of Actinidia (Actinidiaceae) was s tudied. Flavonols predominated and the taxa studied were characterised by the presence of mono-, di- and in some cases, triglycosides. The t axa were distinguished from one another by their flavonoid profiles. P redominant glycosides were glucosides, galactosides, rhamnosides, rham noglucosides and rhamnogalactosides but not all glycosides were presen t in all taxa. C-Glycosylflavones were found in three species. Infrata xon variation was observed, e.g. A. polygama and A. arguta var. arguta . The genus has been subdivided on morphological grounds but large dif ferences in flavonoid composition have shown up within all but one sub division (Leiocarpae Series Solidae). It is shown that flavonoid compo sition can be used to confirm the parentage of putative hybrids.