Analysis of the Contents of Oil Cells in Tasmannia lanceolata (Poir.) A.C. Smith (Winteraceae)

The simple, robust oil cells found in leaves of Tasmannia lanceolata (Poir.) A. C. Smith (Winteraceae) are shown to contain a preponderance of the bioactive compound polygodial using both direct sampling and GCMS analysis of cell contents and Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy. The implications of this for comparison of plant material on the basis of extracts and essential oils are discussed. © 2000 Annals of Botany Company.