THE MAJOR FLOWER ANTHOCYANINS OF LOBOSTEMON (BORAGINACEAE)

The chemical basis of flower pigmentation in the genus Lobostemon is p resented. Six major anthocyanins were found in the species investigate d. Delphinidin-3,5-diglucoside is the most common pigment and tends to be a major component of violet-blue flowers. When the level of delphi nidin-3,5-diglucoside is low, then delphinidin-3-glucoside tends to be the major component, together with small amounts of delphinidin-3-rut inoside. Red flowers possess cyanidin-3-rutinoside as a major componen t. Cyanidin-3,5-diglucoside and cyanidin-3-glucoside occur sporadicall y in some species, particularly in red or pinkish flowers. The anthocy anins were found to be more or less related to flower colour and only of minor interspecific taxonomic value. (C) 1997 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.