Chemosystematic study on leaf volatile compounds of Saxifraga L. series Ceratophyllae (Saxifragaceae)

Extracts from 65 samples corresponding to 13 species and 18 taxa of Saxifraga series Ceratophyllae s. l. were analysed by GC and GC/MS. This paper provides the first chemosystematic information on volatile composition of a seemingly natural group in the Saxifragaceae. Diterpenoids and n-alkanes appear to be the most important constituents and some of them are associated to different species and taxonomic series. The application of multivariate analysis techniques to GC and GC/MS data has allowed the classification of samples into two groups, corresponding approximately to the series Ceratophyllae s. str. and Pentadactyles, previously proposed on the basis of morphological and cytotaxonomica…