The essential oils of the Greek endemic Satureja horvatii ssp. macrophylla in relation to bioclimate

Chem Biodivers. 2010 Aug;7(8):1968-77. doi: 10.1002/cbdv.200900181.

Abstract

The essential oils of the Greek endemic Satureja horvatii subsp. macrophylla collected from 36 areas (among them, 23 are included in twelve sites of the EU network NATURA 2000) belonging to different bioclimatic types were studied. The total essential-oil content is negatively related to the altitude. The variation of the essential oil composition follows a geographical pattern, which is related to the bioclimatic belts along the taxon's range. Carvacrol dominates in areas with Mediterranean and Submediterranean bioclimate (mainly in the S and C part of the taxon's distribution), linalool or trans-sabinene hydrate, and/or borneol in the Submediterranean or Temperate Axeric bioclimates (in the N part of distribution), whereas thymol is found as main oil constituent in all three bioclimates.

MeSH terms

  • Altitude
  • Climate*
  • Greece
  • Oils, Volatile / chemistry*
  • Phylogeography
  • Satureja / chemistry*

Substances

  • Oils, Volatile