RELEVANCE OF CHEMISTRY TO CONSERVATION OF ISOLATED POPULATIONS - THE CASE OF VOLATILE LEAF COMPONENTS OF DICERANDRA MINTS

Chemical analysis of the essential oils of four congeneric species of mint plant (Dicerandra spp.) endemic to Florida revealed a pattern of chemical similarity and dissimilarity that would not have been predict ed on morphological or geographic criteria. Dicerandra christmanii dif fers fundamentally from its congeners in that it produces fewer compou nds and lacks the acyclic components. Yet D. christmanii is more close ly similar to Dicerandra frutescens than to other Dicerandra species i n morphological characters and geographic range. We conclude that the potential chemical value of a species should not be prejudged on the b asis of nonchemical characters and that designation of surplus plant p opulations by conservationists should be resisted unless such populati ons have also been chemically studied.