Phytochemical interrelationships in the Cornaceae

The distribution of iridoids, ellagitannins, proanthocyanidins and other compounds in the Cornaceae and related families is discussed in relation to the various taxonomic treatments. Analysis of the chemical data indicates that: (a) Benthamia and Cynoxylon are the most primitive sub-genera in Cornus, (b) Corokia possesses a chemical pattern consistent with that of the Cornaceae, but Helwingia might better be elevated to family rank, (c) Alangiaceae, Davidiaceae, Garryaceae and Nyssaceae broadly fall into the same pattern as the Cornaceaa and can be placed in a restricted order, Cornales, which excludes Araliaceae, Umbelliferae and Rhizophoraceae, and (d) the Cornales shows affinities to the Saxifragales and the Dipsacales.