Leaf flavonoids as systematic characters in the genera Lavandula and Sabaudia

A comprehensive survey of the leaf flavonoids of the genus Lavandula and the related Sabaudia group was carried out using two-dimensional paper chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography. The flavonoid patterns obtained were found to be systematically informative at the infrageneric level. Three main groupings were identified: the first containing sections Lavandula, Dentata and Stoechas characterised by the accumulation of flavone 7-glycosides; the second containing sections Pterostoechas, Subnuda and Chaetostachys characterised by the accumulation of 8-hydroxylated flavone 7-and 8-glycosides; the third encompassing the Sabaudia group and accumulating both flavone and 8-hydroxylated flavone 7- glycosides. Such a grouping of taxa is congruent with data from other disciplines, although it is not recognised in any present classifications. The taxonomic and evolutionary implications of the flavonoid data are discussed.