Studies on the Genus <i>Nephroma</i> I. The European and Macaronesian Species

Abstract

Abstract This paper reassesses the European and Macaronesian species of Nephroma , analyses their chemistry, and provides a key to the 14 species accepted. The investigation employs chemical techniques which enable even fragmentary material to be identified. Seven chemical groupings are recognized in the genus of which four occur in the species discussed here. Particular emphasis is placed on the distribution of major hopane triterpenoids within the genus. N. areolatum , N. foliolatum , N. hensseniae and N. sulcatum spp. nov. are described from Macaronesia, and N. tangeriense (Maheu &amp; A. Gillet) Zahlbr., is accepted as distinct.