Distribution of charged flavones and caffeylshikimic acid in Palmae

Identification of the phenolic constituents in flowers of nine palm species has revealed that charged C-glycosylflavones and caffeylshikimic acid are characteristically present. Flavonol glycosides are also common; the 3-glucosides, 3-rutinosides and 3,4′-diglucosides of quercetin and isorhamnetin and the 7-glucoside and 3,7-diglucoside of quercetin are all variously present. Tricin 7-glucoside, luteolin 7-rutinoside and several unchanged C-glycosylflavones were also detected. Male flowers of Phoenix canariensis differ from female flowers in having flavonol glycosides. As expected, in most species studied, flavonoid patterns in the flowers vary considerably from those found in the leaves.