Chemo- and karyotaxonomic studies on some rhizomatous species of the genus Symphytum (Boraginaceae)

In S. tuberosum subspp. tuberosum and nodosum, S. grandiflorum and S. ibericum the presence of the pyrrolizidine alkaloids lycopsamine, echimidine and symphytine could be demonstrated. The taxon S. tuberosum contains an unknown compound that seems to be specific for this taxon. This compound is not the pyrrolizidine alkaloid anadoline which has previously been reported for this species. It is possibly represented by a peak on GC/MS with a molecular ion peak at m/z 623 (as TMS derivative) and can be used as a chemotaxonomic marker for the species S. tuberosum. The pyrrolizidine alkaloid pattern of the two subspecies of S. tuberosum reinforces the close relationship. Fresh material of S. tuberosum contained the triterpene isobauerenol, but in herbarium material isobauerenol was lacking. In S. grandiflorum, neither fresh nor dried material contains isobauerenol. In herbarium material of S. ibericum also no isobauerenol could be found. More extensive chemotaxonomical research is necessary to support the view that S. abchasicum is more closely related to S. ibericum than to S. grandiflorum.