Occurrence of polygodial and 1-(2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl)-but-2-en-1-one from some ferns and liverworts: Role of pungent components in bryophytes and pteridophytes evolution

The New Zealand fern Blechnum fluviatile and liverwort, Hymenophyton flabel latum produce the characteristic pungent compounds, (-)-polygodial, a sesqu iterpene dialdehyde, and 1-(2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl)-but-2-en-1-one, respect ively. The former compound has been isolated from the Japanese liverwort, P orella vernicosa complex and the latter one from the Japanese fern, Arachin oides standishii. The occurrence of both compounds in both pteridophytes an d bryophytes provides another important link between bryophytes and ferns.