Chemotaxonomic Insights into Korean <i>Daphne</i> spp. and <i>Wikstroemia</i> spp. by Integrating Flavonoid Contents with Ecological Factors.

ABSTRACT: The placement of Daphne genkwa has long been controversial, as its intermediate morphological traits blur the boundary between Daphne and Wikstroemia. To address this challenge, we adopted a chemotaxonomic approach, integrating flavonoid contents with ecological indicators, as an independent line of evidence complementing morphology and molecular data. Using UPLC-UV, six flavonoids were quantified from 16 Korean populations representing six taxa. Multivariate analyses clearly distinguished Daphne and Wikstroemia, with D. genkwa and W. ganpi forming closely related but separate clades. Ecological factors such as precipitation and canopy openness significantly affected flavonoid levels, particularly luteolin 7-O-glucoside and yuankanin.

SUBMITTER: Son Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12526056 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature