Glycosides of tricetin methyl ethers as chemosystematic markers in Stachys subgenus Betonica

Nine species from the genus Stachys L. representing subgenera Stachys and Betonica were surveyed for flavonoid glycosides by means of HPLC coupled to diode-array detection and LGAPCI-MS. Those species belonging to subgenus Betonica were characterised by the presence of glycosides of tricetin methyl ethers, including a new derivative, which was isolated from S. scardica Griseb. and identified as tricetin 3,4',5'-trimethyl ether 7-O-beta-glucopyranoside by spectroscopic methods. This type of flavonoid was absent from species belonging to subgenus Stachys and can be considered as a chemosystematic marker for subgenus Betonica. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.