Chemotaxonomy of Portuguese Ulex: Quinolizidine alkaloids as taxonomical markers

Six species of Ulex L. in a total of nineteen populations were investigated as to their content in quinolizidine alkaloids. Seventeen known alkaloids were detected by GC-EIMS and quantification of the seven more abundants alkaloids in all populations was done by GC. Principal component analysis of these data allowed the definition of chemotypes for five of the species and the recognition of hybrids. N-Methylcytisine, cytisine, and jussiaeiines A, C and D are recognized as markers of this genus in Portugal.