Arthur O. Tucker

Frankincense and myrrh

While frankincense and myrrh have been harvested from a multitude of species, certain species have predominated in history.Boswellia carteri andB. frereana are the main sources of frankincense today, whileB. papyrifera was the principal source of antiquity andB. sacra was the principal species of classical times.Commiphora myrrha is the chief source of myrrh today, butC. erythraea was the principal source of ancient and classical times. Each of these oleo-gum-resins has a characteristic odor that is predominately due to a mixture of complex sesquiterpenes.

Catnip and the catnip response

Fourteen chemical compounds from diverse biological sources elicit a unique pattern of behavior in most species of the family Felidae. These chemicals may be grouped into 7-methylcyclopentapyranones, 7-methyl-2-pyrindines, and 4-methylbenzofuranones. They may function as either hallucinogens or cross-react with naturally occurring social odors.

Chemistry and ethnobotany of commercial incense copals copal blanco, copal oro, and copal negro, of North America

The North American commercial incense copals are derived from species of Bursera, Protium (Burseraceae), and Hymenaea (Caesal-piniaceae) but are also distinguished by the technique of harvesting as well as by species. Sixty-eight compounds were identified in three commercial incense copals. The essential oil of copal bianco (probably from B. bipinnata) is dominated by 14.52 ± 1.28% α-copaene and 13.75 ± 1.06% germacrene D. The essential oil of copal oro (probably from H. courbaril) is dominated by 21.35 ± 5.96% α-pinene and 26.51 ± 1.22% limonene. The essential oil of copal negro (probably from P. copal) is dominated by 17.95 ± 1.35% α-pinene, 12.51 ± 0.08% sabinene, and 16.88 ± 2.02% limonene.ResumenLos copales comerciales norteamericanas del incienso se derivan de las especies de Bursera, Protium (Burseraceae),y Hymenaea (Caesalpi-niaceae)pero también son distinguidos por la técnica de cosechar así como por las especies. Sesenta y ocho compuestos fueron identificados en tres copales comerciales del incienso. El aceite esencial del copal bianco (probablemente de B. bipinnata)es dominado por el α-copae-ne (14.52 ± 1.28%)y el germacrene D (13.75 ± 1.06%).El aceite esencial del copal oro (probablemente de H. courbaril)es dominado por el α-pinene (21.35 ± 5.96%)y el limonene (26.51 ± 1.22%).El aceite esencial del copal negro (probablemente de P. copal)es dominado por el a-pinene (17.95 ± 1.35%),el sabinene (12.51 ± 0.08%),y el limonene (16.88 ± 2.02%).

Volatile Leaf Oils of Caribbean Myrtaceae. I. Three Varieties of Pimenta racemosa (Miller) J. Moore of the Dominican Republic and the Commercial Bay Oil

ABSTRACT The foliar essential oils of Pimenta racemosa (Miller) J. Moore var. grisea (Kiaerskov) Fosb. are dominated by geraniol (0–85.52%), methyl eugenol (0.30–92.60%), and/or trans-methyl isoeugenol (0–86.32%). The foliar essential oils of Pimenta racemosa var. hispaniolensis (Urban) Landrum are dominated by 1,8-cineole (0.05–37.96%), methyl chavicol (0–22.61%), methyl eugenol (0–63.88%), γ-terpinene (0–16.67%), terpinen-4-ol (0.08–28.98%), and/or thymol (0–44.02%). The foliar essential oils of Pimenta racemosa var. ozua (Urban & E. Ekman) Landrum are dominated by 1,8-cineole (47.24–55.93%), limonene (3.62–30.07%), and/or α-terpineol (6.68–15.12%). The commercial bay oil (P. racemosa var. racemosa) is dominated by chavicol (<0.01–15.51%), eugenol (44.41–68.93%), methyl eugenol (0–11.88%), and/or myrcene (0.10–16.17%).

Volatile leaf oils of American Myrtaceae. III. Psidium cattleianum Sabine, P. friedrichsthalianum (Berg) Niedenzu, P. guajava L., P. guineense Sw., and P. sartorianum (Berg) Niedenzu

ABSTRACT Samples of five species of the genus of Psidium (Myrtaceae) are analyzed for essential oils. The foliar oil of P. cattleianum Sabine is dominated by β-caryophyllene (59.92±1.70%). The foliar oil of P. friedrichsthalianum (Berg) Niedenzu is dominated by β-caryophyllene (36.82±19.44%) and α-pinene (10.61±13.70%). The foliar oil of P. guajava L. is dominated by β-bisabolene (19.21±2.44%) and β-sesquiphellandrene (14.75±0.01%). The foliar oil of P. guineense Sw. is dominated by β-bisabolene (13.18±2.00%) and α-pinene (12.85±5.42%). The foliar oil of P. sartorianum (Berg) Niedenzu is dominated by α-pinene (16.66±1.05%), β-caryophyllene (12.35±2.82%) and α-phellandrene (9.81±1.13%).

Volatile leaf oil of Calycolpus australis Landrum (Myrtaceae).

Abstract The essential oil of the leaves and stems of Calycolpus australis, collected in Minas Gerais, Brazil and examined by GC/MS, is dominated by γ-terpinene (14.07±2.92%), terpinen-4-ol (13.11±1.03%), linalool (12.52±0.91%) and α-terpinene (11.53±1.93%).

The origin ofMentha X gracilis (Lamiaceae). I. Chromosome numbers, Fertility, and three morphological characters

Employing nine clones ofMentha arvensis and four clones ofM. spicata, 932 F, hybrids were synthesized and compared to 20 clones ofM. x gracilis. Two clones ofM. x gracilis with 60 somatic chromosomes were matched to a selected F1 hybrid. The other 18 clones ofM. x gracilis had somatic chromosome numbers of 60, 72, 84, and 96, and while these chromosome numbers appeared in the F1 progeny, morphological matches correlated with their correct chromosome numbers were not synthesized. The range of pollen and seed fertility, as well as the inheritance of male-sterility, leaf pubescence, and crispness, indicates that no one character can be used to identifyM. x gracilis, but all characters can be explained fromM. arvensis x M. spicata.AbstractGebruik makend van negen klonen vanMentha arvensis en vier klonen vanM. Spicata werden 932 F1 hybriden verkregen. Deze werden vergeleken met 20 klonen vanM. x gracilis. Twee klonen vanM. x gracilis met 60 somatische Chromosomen werden gegruist met een geselecteerde F1 hybride. De overige 18 klonen vanM. x gracilis hadden Chromosomen aantallen van 60, 72, 84, en 96. Omdat deze Chromosomen aantallen optraden in de F1 nakomelingen werden geen paringen verricht gebaseerd op morphologische kenmerken en juiste Chromosomen aantallen. De pollengrootte, zaadfertiliteit en de overerving van mannelijke steriliteit, beharing en de gekroesdheid van de bladeren wijzen er op dat geen enkel kenmerk gebruikt kan wordenM. x gracilis te identificeren, maar dat alle kenmerken verklaard kunnen worden vanuit de kruising vanM. arvensis x M. Spicata.

Vietnamese culinary herbs in the United States

Identification, cultivation, chemistry, and uses of nine Vietnamese herbs, hitherto rare or unknown in the United States, are discussed:Giâp Cá (Houttuynia cordata),Lá Lôt (Piper lolot), Rau Răm (Polygonum odoratum),Rau Muông (Ipomoea aquatica),Ngò Gai (Eryngium foetidum),Rau Cân (Oenanthe javanica),Cân Dây Lá (Plectranthus amboinicus),Tía Tô (Perilla frutescens), andRau Ngo (Limnophila aromatica).

Volatile leaf oil of the curry plant [Helichrysum italicum (Roth) G. Don subsp. italicum] and dwarf curry plant [subsp. microphyllum (Willd.) Nyman] in the North American herb trade

Abstract The essential oil of the leaves and stems of Helichrysum italicum (Roth) G. Don subsp. italicum, examined by GC/MS, is dominated by neryl acetate (16.60±2.01%) and γ-curcumene (15.98±1.44%). The essential oil of the leaves and stems of H. italicum subsp. microphyllum (Willd.) Nyman is dominated by neryl acetate (38.60±15.11%), linalool (17.28±7.75%), nerol (14.55±8.71%), and limonene (10.73±4.56%).

The Essential Oils of Artemisia ‘Powis Castle’ and Its Putative Parents, A. absinthium and A. arborescens

ABSTRACT The essential oil of Artemisia ‘Powis Castle’ is characterized by its richness in β-thujone (41.2±2.9%) and (z)-epoxy-ocimene (24.8±2.3%). The essential oil of ‘Powis Castle’ does not contradict a putative origin from A. absinthium x A. arborescens pending elucidation of the inheritance of essential components in the genus Artemisia.