Seed fats of Astelia and Collospermum, family liliaceae

The seed fats of thirteen species of Astelia and two of the closely related genus Collospermum have been examined. On the basis of their fatty acid composition they fall into two groups, one containing 12‐30% γ‐linolenic (6,9,12‐octadecatrienoic) acid and the other containing no γ‐linolenic acid. The latter group is distinguished from the New Zealand Agavaceae by the presence of traces of C 20 and and C 22 alkanoic, C 16 , C 20 , and C 22 alkenoic, C 20 alkadienoic and C 18 alkatrienoic acids and from the New Zealand Juncaceae by the absence of C 12 , C 14 , C 15 , C 17 , C 19 , and C 24 alkanoic and C 17 and C 24 alkenoic acids. The two groups based on chemical constituents do not coincide with the botanical classification suggested by Skottsberg 4 .