The characterization of populations of Eucalyptus camaldulensis by chemical features

Abstract

Samples of E. camaldulensis were collected from throughout its natural habitat which covers most of Australia and represents a wide range of environments. Mature leaves from 103 and seeds from 62 localities were examined as well as seedling leaves of 53 progenies. The 47 polyphenols from the different acid-hydrolysed tissues were characterized chromatographically and a few identified. There was similarity between all samples of the same type of tissue but nevertheless the specific occurrence of a small number of compounds (four in mature leaves, three in the seeds, and one in seedling leaves) and the variation in relative amounts of others enabled the localities to be divided into six phytochemical provinces. These corresponded to the major river drainage systems. The taxonomically important compounds from the mature leaves were aromadendrin, kaempferol, a compound very similar to pelargonidin, and compound 20; from the seeds compounds 43, 44, and 47; and from the seedling leaves compound 27. The mature leaves yielded the most significant data. The seeds and seedling leaves provided useful supporting evidence. There was a strong correlation between groupings based on morphological characters and those based on the polyphenol composition. There were minor differences associated with environment particularly between the tropical northern division and the temperate southern division. The possible origin of trees planted in Israel is discussed.