The Coloration of Gladiolus I. Survey of Anthocyanins in Petals of Gladiolus

Abstract

Abstract The six common anthocyanidins found in Gladiolus petals occur in four types of glycosilation: 3-glucoside, 3-rhamnoglucoside, 3,5-diglucoside, and 3-rhamnoglucoside-5-glucoside. The six monoglucosides appear in minute quantities, whereas any of the other 18 anthocyanins can serve as the major contributor to the coloration of Gladiolus petals. In high performance liquid chromatographic analyses of petal pigment composition of nine cultivars, it was found that the anthocyanins are grouped on the basis of the aglycon substitution. Thus, pelargonidin appears by itself (group I), cyanidin and peonidin constitute group II, and delphinidin, petunidin, and malvidin group III.