ALKALOIDS 



177 



Table 9-2. Distribution of Veratrum alkaloids (adapted from Kupchan et al, 

 1961). 



Kupchan et al. consider that alkaloid distribution supports in general 

 the classification on morphological grounds. Zygadenus and Schoe- 

 nocaulon contain only the ceveratrum alkaloids. The chemical 

 evidence postulated as the basis for considering Zygadenus inter- 

 mediate between Veratrum and Schoenocaulon is not particularly 

 convincing. Zygadenus has a higher proportion of zygadenine esters 

 than does Veratrum, and zygadenine is considered an alkaloid 

 "hybrid" between the two ceveratrum sub-types in that it occurs as 

 a monoester but possesses some structural similarities to the germine 

 and protoverine types together with which it frequently occurs. In a 

 phylogenetic sense the term "intermediate" has a connotation that 

 Zygadenus was derived from Veratrum and gave rise to Schoeno- 

 caulon. However, the chemical evidence does not exclude the equally 

 likely hypothesis that both Schoenocaulon and Zygadenus evolved 

 either from Veratrum or a Veratrum-\\\ie ancestor. Veratrum as in- 

 dicated appears to have a more primitive alkaloid chemistry. 



Another point of taxonomic interest concerns certain Vera- 

 trum species. V. album var. album, V. vivide, and V. nigrum (Atlantic 

 coast taxa) contain alkaloids which yield mono- or dihydroxymethyl- 

 butyrate residues upon hydrolysis. V. album var. grandiflorum, 

 V. eschscholtzii, V. stamineum, and V. fimbriatum (Pacific coast taxa) 

 yield angelate and tiglate upon hydrolysis. 



In Table 9-2 one may note that certain taxa, such as Vera- 

 trum album var. album or V. vivide contain numerous alkaloids while 



