EXUDATE FLAVONOID AGLYCONES OF ACHILLEA SECT ACHILLEA AND SECT BABOUNYA - A COMPARATIVE-STUDY

Species of Achillea sect. Achillea and A. sect. Babounya were studied for their exudate flavonoid aglycone profiles. The leaf washes of thes e xerophytes contained primarily methyl ethers of 6-hydroxyflavones an d of 6-hydroxyflavonols as the main phenolic constituents. The species specifity of flavonoid patterns was checked by analysis of various st rains, including cultivated material of the same origin. Within the la rger sect. Achillea, species did not show significant qualitative diff erences in their flavonoid composition, which is contrary to morpholog ical divergences observed. Conversely, the profiles within the small s ect. Babounya exhibited species specifity, although morphological diff erentiations are less obvious. Also, the study includes discussions on botanical diversifications in both sections. The ecological significa nce of external aglycone formation in xerophytes is discussed.