Terpenoid Chemistry of Mikania Species

Department of Chemistry, The Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306-4390, U.S.A.

Manuscript received 24 June 1998

The terpene chemistry of the genus Mikania (Asteraceae, tribe Eupatorieae) is reviewed with emphasis on recent developments which suggest that mikanolide-type sesquiterpene dilactones, although prominent in members of the Mikania scandens complex, may not be chemical markers for the complex as suggested earlier.