Volatile components from selected Tahitian liverworts.

Six Tahitian liverworts, Trichocolea pluma, Chandonanthus hirtellus, Mastigophora diclados, Jungermannia sp., Plagiochila sp. and Cyathodium foetidissimum were chemically investigated. All of these liverworts produce their own characteristic compounds. Vanillic acid methyl ester was isolated for the first time from T. pluma. Skatol is responsible for the very intense unpleasant odor of C. foetidissimum. Herbertane-type sesquiterpenoids are peculiar components of M. diclados, and fusicoccane-type diterpenoids were identified in Pagiochila sp. Cembranes and ent-verticillanes were isolated from C. hirtellus and also detected in Jungermannia species. C. hirtellus also biosynthesizes algal components and such results may suggest that some liverworts originate from algae.