THE OCCURRENCE OF ASPERULOSIDIC GLYCOSIDES IN THE RUBIACEAE*

Abstract

Some properties of the new iridoid compounds Galium glucoside and Gardenia glucoside are described. Galium glucoside and asperuloside occur in many species belonging to the Rubioideae (sensu Bremekamp); they were not found in other subfamilies of the Rubiaceae. Gardenia glucoside occurs in several species of the tribe Gardenieae (subfamily Ixoroideae). The distribution of the asperulosidic glucosides in the Rubiaceae corresponds with the classification proposed by Bremekamp, although there are some exceptions (Hamelieae, Opercularia and Pomax, possibly the Gaertnereae). To a somewhat less degree the system proposed by Verdcourt is supported.