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 cons ists of chalcones, dihydrochalcones and flavanones, several of which l ack B-ring oxygenation, and quercetin 3-O- and 7-O-methyl ethers. Vacu olar 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 stud ies suggest that the flavonoid profiles from the different areas may b e fixed. Differences in distribution of flavonoids could be taken as e vidence for recognition of several taxa in contrast to the view that o nly one variable species exists in New Zealand.