Anthocyanins of holly fruits

Anthocyanin distribution in the fruits of Ilex closely followed an accepted taxonomic classification. Within the evergreen subgenus Aquifolium, species belonging to section Lioprinus produced only cyanidin pigments while in section Aquifolium, pelargonidin was the major anthocyanin. Likewise, in the deciduous subgenus Prinos, species of section Prinoides contained cyanidin pigments and those of section Euprinus had pelargonidin compounds. Exceptions to this pattern and the bearing of pigment studies on breeding are discussed.