FLAVONOID VARIATION IN LASTHENIA-CALIFORNICA (ASTERACEAE)

Five-hundred and sixty-three individuals of Lasthenia californica representing the entire range of the species in California, Arizona, Oregon and Baja California were examined for their flavonoid chemistry. With only a few minor exceptions our findings agree with the view that four pigment profiles exist in the species (Bohm et al., 1989). An additional 33 populations of L. californica were also sampled. The known flavonoid profiles were found to predominate, but there was a distinct polarity to the occurrence of the flavonoid types: simpler profiles tend to occur in the northern part of California and in Oregon, while the more complex profiles appear in southern California, Arizona and Baja California. A new flavonoid profile was detected in two populations along the coast north of San Francisco. Minor variants of the basic flavonoid types have also been noted; further structural work is indicated. Our observations support the view that extensive differentiation within the species is now reflected in the existence of numerous morphological, ecological, cytological and chemical races.