Arbutin in Serratula quinquefolia M.B. (Asteraceae)

Genus <em>Serratula</em> is known for the presence of steroid compounds which belong to the group of ecdysones. Former phytochemical works from the late sixties and early seventies indicate, in some <em>Serratula</em> species, the occurrence of a phenolic glycoside-arbutin. This has been confirmed in the present work through finding an α,β-arbutin anomer in <em>Serratula quinquefolia</em> M.B. New botanical data concerning the classification of genus <em>Serratula</em> suggest that the species in question should be regarded as belonging to genus <em>Klasea</em> (currently a section of genus <em>Serratula</em>). There has been an attempt to find a key to the chemical division within the taxons.