Infraspecific variability ofJuniperus L. (Cupressaceae) based on monoterpenoid compositions

The compositions of leaf monoterpenoids from 11 species in the Juniperus section (Juniperus chinensis var. chinensis,J. virginiana, J. communis var. montana,J. rigida, J. chinensis var. globosa,J. chinensis var. sargentii,J. chinensis ‘Kaizuka Variegata’,J. squamata ‘Wilsonii’,J. x media ‘Shimpake’,J. x media ‘Plamosa Aurea’, andJ. squamata ‘Aloderi’) were comparatively analyzed by GC-MS. Of the 24 compounds identified, α-pinene, myrcene, limonene, terpinolene, and bornyl acetate were common to all, but particular combinations differed remarkably among taxa. The simplest composition (eight compounds) was found in.J, chinensis var. chinensis; the most complex (19 compounds), inJ. x media ‘Shimpake’. Cluster analysis generated four distinctive clades within the Juniperus section. The minimum spanning network revealed thatJ. squamata ‘Wilsonii’ andJ. x media ‘Shimpake’ were most similar in their chemical makeup.