Frequency of cyanogenesis in tropical rainforests of far north Queensland, Australia.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Plant cyanogenesis is the release of toxic cyanide from endogenous cyanide-containing compounds, typically cyanogenic glycosides. Despite a large body of phytochemical, taxonomic and ecological work on cyanogenic species, little is known of their frequency in natural plant communities. This study aimed to investigate the frequency of cyanogenesis in Australian tropical rainforests. Secondary aims were to quantify the cyanogenic glycoside content of tissues, to investigate intra-plant and intra-population variation in cyanogenic glycoside concentration and to appraise the potential chemotaxonomic significance of any findings in relation to the distribution of cyanogenesis in related taxa.

Methods

All species in six 200 m(2) plots at each of five sites acro

SUBMITTER: Miller RE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2803397 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature