Leaf wax n-alkane distributions in arid zone South African flora: Environmental controls, chemotaxonomy and palaeoecological implications

A key finding is the high yield of n-alkanes from multiple succulent plants, many of which use the CAM photosynthetic pathway. Compound specific δ13C/δD analyses (e.g. estimates of C3 and C4 biomass) for regions with potential succulent plant contributions should therefore be carried out cautiously.