The genus Inula, from the tribe Inulae, has often been chemically investigated (Harborne, 1977). Inula candida (L.) Cass. and its allies comprise one of the most interesting chasmophytic plant groups of the N.E. Mediterranean area from a taxonomic, biosystematic, and evolutionary point of view. The whole group is distributed from the E. coast of Italy through the Dalmatian coastline, southern Balkans and Kriti to Asia Minor, Pontus and Syria. Surprisingly, this group is reported to be absent from Kiklades islands (Rechinger, 1938).
Although the taxonomy of the group is not clear yet, two major aggregates are distinguished: the lineage of Inula candida centred around Kriti and southern Greece, and the taxa around Inula verbascifolia (Willd.) Hausskn., with a wider distribution (Ball and Tutin, 1976).
Our present contribution deals with the volatile compounds of two Greek endemic taxa: I. verbascifolia subsp. parnassica (Boiss. & Heldr.) Tutin (= I. parnassica Boiss. & Heldr.) and I. verbascifolia subsp. methanea (Hausskn.) Tutin (= I. methanea Hausskn.).
Wild growing plants were collected during anthesis, the first taxon in 1999 from Mt. Parnassos and the second in 1998 from Mt. Parnes. The volatile compounds were obtained from the aerial parts and analysed by GC and GC-MS. The identification of the chemical constituents was based on comparisons of their relative retention times and mass spectra with those obtained from authentic samples and/or library spectra.
Ninety-five constituents were identified from the oils representing respectively 99% and 100% of the total oil. In the oil of I. verbascifolia subsp. parnassica the major constituents were methyl salicylate (23.39%), chrysanthenol (17.32%) and (E)-caryophyllene (13.25%). The main constituents of the oil of I. verbascifolia subsp. methanea were linalool (21.22%), epi-alpha-cadinol (19.47%) and (Z)-nuciferol (16.58%).
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