A chemotaxonomic evaluation of some Scabiosa L. species in Iran

In this study, the chemotaxonomic status and fatty acid compositions of eleven species of Scabiosa L., naturally growing in Iran, were determined using gas chromatography. The main compounds were found to be palmitic acid (16:0; 4.63–23%), behenic acid (22:0; 2.40–35.52%), lignoceric acid (24:0; 1.91–34.02%) and linoleic acid (18:3n6; 0.73–13.95%). Principal Component and Principal Coordinate analyses revealed the segregation of the studied Scabiosa species in two groups. This was consistent with the traditional classification presented by Rechinger. However, there is a lot of debate about the taxonomy of the Scabiosa species. Based on pitted epicalyx, Greuter and Raus have removed members of the Scabiosa sect. Asterocephalus to the genus Lomelosia. Our results showed that the fatty acid profiles of the species belonging to the sect. Scabiosa were distinct and confirmed the opinion supported by Greuter and Raus, that these species should be moved to the Lomelosia genus.