THE CELLULAR-DISTRIBUTION OF ANTIFEEDANT PRENYLATED ANTHRANOIDS IN THE TISSUES OF VISMIA-GUIANENSIS DURING DEVELOPMENT

Accumulation and distribution of two types of phenolic antifeedant met abolites, vismiones and ferruginins, in specialized cells were investi gated in Vismia guianensis DC. Chemical, light, and electron-microscop e analyses revealed that the two types of compounds were produced in d ifferent cells and organs and at different stages of plant development . Vismiones accumulated at various concentrations in the leaf, dependi ng on its developmental stage, as well as in the stem of very young pl ants. Ferruginins appeared late in the plant's development and accumul ated exclusively in secretory ducts in the secondary body of the stem and in secretory cavities of the fruits.