A survey of anthocyanins. VI

Lawrence et al. 1938] the nature of the anthocyanins present in the flowers, fruits, permanently pigmented leaves and autumn leaves of many species of plants has been described.To complete the analysis of the distribution of the principal anthocyanin types in the Angiosperms, a series of young leaves has now been examined.In yo-ung leaves coloration due to anthocyanins, dis- appearing with maturity, is a phenomenon which is probably more general than autumnal anthocyanin development, and the (approximately) 200 species, in 110 genera, tested were chosen to cover as wide a range of plants as possible.As in autumn leaves, cyanidin saccharides predominate, being found in 93 % of the genera.In a few cases, other constituents interfered with the colour reactions and distribution, rendering it difficult to identify the glycosidal type definitely.But in those genera which contained cyanidin derivatives whose sugar types were determined, there were found: 31 % monoglycosides 30 % 3-biosides 50 % pentoseglycosides 9 % 3:5-dimonosides A comparison of the figures with those derived from autumn leaves, flowers etc. will be made in a later communication.Results