Chemosystematic studies in the saxifragaceae sensu lato. 8. The flavonoids of elmera racemosa (Watson) Rydberg

The flavonoid glycosides of both varieties of Elmera racemosa were isolated and identified. The compounds were the monoglucosides of kaempferol, quercetin and myricetin, the rutinosides of the same aglycones, and the rhamnosylrutinosides of kaempferol and quercetin. All glycosides were linked at position-3 of the flavonols. The two varieties (var. racemosa and var. puberulenta C. L. Hitchcock) were identical. A comparison of the flavonoid chemistry of Elmera, Heuchera, and Tellima supports the existence of Elmera as a genus. A survey of several collections of Tellima grandiflora, Heuchera micrantha, and H. cylindrica showed only minor quantitative differences in the two-dimensional thin layer chromatograms from collection to collection. The possible origin of Tellima and Elmera from ancestral stock having Heuchera-like flavonoid chemistry is discussed.