CHEMOSYSTEMATIC VARIATION IN ACORN FATTY-ACIDS OF CALIFORNIAN LIVE OAKS (QUERCUS-AGRIFOLIA AND Q-WISLIZENII)

Acorns from 108 individuals of Quercus agrifolia and Q. wislizenii from 11 native populations (including three putative hybrid populations) in California were sampled and analysed for fatty acid composition. Oleic acid was the most abundant (48-62%), linoleic and palmitic acids were found in intermediate amounts (11-32%) and stearic acid in small amounts (3-6%). All other acids were found at very low levels (<2%). Significant differences between the two species were found in oleic, linoleic and palmitic acids and total unsaturated acids, with putative hybrids having intermediate levels. Multivariate analyses indicated inter- and intra-specific separation with different patterns of variation among the putative hybrid populations.