Intraspecific volatile oil variation in Myrceugenia cucullata (Myrtaceae)

The analysis of volatile oil content of Myrceugenia cucullata, a treelet from southern Brazilian montane forests, was investigated. Two markedly distinct chemotypes were identified. One of them is dominated by (E)-nerolidol and the other by (−)-α- and (−)-β-pinenes. Field observations showed a distinct ecological behaviour of plants with distinct chemical compositions, and a closer morphological analysis hints to a possible separation of them. The diverse oil composition is discussed and the possibility of specific segregation of the chemotypes is commented.