FLAVONOIDS OF DIPLUSODON (LYTHRACEAE)

Flavonoids of 27 species of Diplusodon were identified. O-Mono- and diglycosides of apigenin, luteolin, kaempferol, quercetin and myricetin were found. Different glycosidic patterns were observed and they seem to be consistent as taxonomic characters at the-species level. Aglycone structures may also be taxonomically relevant, since two main groups of species are sharply discerned by a mutual exclusiveness of flavone and flavonol glycosides. Flavonoid chemistry does not reflect the systems of classifications of the genus and supports the assumption that the foliar pinnately veined pattern is plesiomorphic in Diplusodon.