J.M. Edwards

Phenalenone pigments of the root system of Lachnanthes tinctoria

Abstract The root system of Lachnanthes tinctoria (Haemodoraceae) contains lachnanthoside, a glycoside of trihydroxy-9-phenylphenalenone; lachnanthofluorone, a red-fluorescent compound having a novel naphthoxanthenone structure; and a naphthalide related to the phenalenones.

Phenalenone pigments of the flowers of Lachnanthes tinctoria

Abstract Two new pigments have been isolated from flowers of Lachnanthes tinctoria . N -(1-carboxy-2-methylbutyl)-lachnanthopyridone is an oxygenated 9-ph

The sequential appearance and metabolism of alkaloids in Heimia salicifolia

Abstract The seeds of Heimia salicifolia do not contain alkaloids. Two unidentified alkaloids were detected in 1-week-old seedlings; these alkaloids were absent from older plant samples. Lyfoline, cryogenine, and lythrine were first detected in 2-week-old plants. Sinicuichine was first observed in 3-week-old plants and nesodine in 2-month-old plants. The maximum rates of synthesis for most of these alkaloids occurred in 1- to 2-month-old plants. Following administration of 14 CO 2 to H. salicifolia plants, small quantities of alkaloids were purified to constant specific activity without alkaloid dilution; 95.6% of the administered 14 CO 2 was assimilated and up to 0.16% of this activity was incorporated into known alkaloids. Sinicuichine and lyfoline were shown to undergo catabolism, while cryogenine was degraded very slowly, if at all. Evidence is presented for the conversion of lyfoline to lythrine.