Chemosystematics and the liverwort genus Plagiochila

Abstract

Recent discoveries that have been facilitated by phytochemical studies based on NMR and GC-MS profiling include: (1) Plagiochila atlantica of Europe belongs to the Neotropical P sect. Fuscoluteae; (2) the Central American P. retrorsa occurs in North America as well as Madeira and the Azores; (3) the Neotropical P. stricta occurs in the Canary Islands; (4) the South American P papillifolia Steph. occurs in the Azores. Phytochemical data support taxonomic changes involving varieties of the Neotropical P. rutilans. Plagiochila species in Europe (including Macaronesia) may be classified into two chemotypes, characterised by 2,3-secoaromadendranes on the one hand and aromatic compounds on the other