Hydrocarbons and fatty acids of Lycopodium

Abstract

The analysis of fatty acids and hydrocarbons in the sporophytes of three Lycopodium species has revealed a characteristic distribution of C16 and C18 acids. The hydrocarbon fraction of the lipids contain a homologous series of monounsaturated alkenes in the C17C30 range with an even to odd preference. Maxima at both C17 and C27 among the n-alkanes reveals similarities both to the distribution of hydrocarbons in other plant groups. The production of spores and their inclusion with one sporophyte does not alter the fatty acid pattern but does decrease the alkene concentration and modifies the alkane distribution, shifting both maxima. The presence of pristane and phytane in all specimens, the dual maxima of alkanes and slight odd to even preference of alkanes is noteworthy in that these characteristics are possessed by geological deposits derived from Lycopodium ancestors. © 1973.