Condensed tannins. 9. Distribution of flavonoid compounds in the heartwoods and barks of some interrelated wattles

Abstract

(-)-Fisetinidol, (+)-fustin, (+)-7;3'':4''-trihydroxyflavan-3:4-diol, fisetin and polymeric leucofisetinidin tannins are common components of the heartwoods of Acacia mearnsii (A. mollissima), black wattle; A. decurrens, green wattle; A. dealbata, silver wattle; and A. pycnantha, golden wattle. The barks of A. mearnsii and A. decurrens contain (-)-robinetinidol, (+)-catechin and {+)-gal-locaTechin; A. dealbata contains these catechins together with (-)-epicatechin and (-)-epigallocatechin, and A. pycnantha contains these together with (-)-epicatechin, (-)-epicatechin gallate, (-)-epigallocatechin, (-)-epigallocatechin gallate and gallic acid. The possible significance of the relative distribution of heartwood and bark components to the taxonomy of these wattles is discussed.