AROMATIC ACETYLENES AND DEHYDROFALCARINONE DERIVATIVES WITHIN THE ARTEMISIA-DRACUNCULUS GROUP

Root polyacetylenes from 7 taxa belonging to the Artemisia dracunculus group have been analysed and compared. Aromatic acetylenes, together with dehydrofalcarinone derivatives, are widespread and appear to be characteristic of the group. Distinct accumulation tendencies towards capillen or isocoumarin formation underline the taxonomic separation of A. dracunculiformis, A. glauca and A. pamirica from A. dracunculus s.str. Two different types of isocoumarins may additionally contribute to an infraspecific grouping within the latter species. Considering the biosynthetic pathway of aromatic acetylenes, the capillen-containing A. dracunculiformis, A. glauca and A. pamirica occupy a more primitive position, whereas the strains of A. dracunculus s.str. appear progressively more advanced by the accumulation of different isocoumarins. © 1979.