Variation in Flavonoid Patterns and Species Relationships in the Genus Annona

Leaf flavonoids of Annona squamosa, A. cherimola, A. reticulata, A. muricata and A. glabra were screened by cellulose thin-layer chromatography. Two types of flavonoid patterns were observed in different varieties of A. squamosa. The true A. squamosa has been found to be represented by only ‘Balanagar’ group of cultivars. The other group of cultivars represented by ‘Island Gem’ seem to be hybrids of A. squamosa and A. cherimola. Characteristic species specific flavonoid spots were observed only in two species i. e. A. muricata and A. glabra. However, the flavonoid patterns can be used to identify all the species. A. squamosa was found to have close affinity with A. cherimola. Hybridization seems to have occurred very freely in the species A. squamosa, A. cherimola and A. reticulata, before these species were established. A. muricata seems to have contributed one genome to tetraploid glabra.