The described targeted metabolomic approach proved to be highly beneficial in designing a phytochemical overview of the genus Nepeta, and might have applications in further clarification of phylogenetic relations. Furthermore, it has the potential to be implemented in a routine quality control of plant material and herbal preparations.

Adaptive values of plasticity in Iris pumila leaf traits (morphological: SLA, specific leaf area; anatomical: SD, stomatal density; LT, leaf thickness; VBN, vascular bundle number; SW, sclerenchyma width; CW, cuticle width, and physiological: ChlT, total chlorophyll concentration; ChlA/B, chlorophyll a/b ratio) were tested at three irradiance levels in a growth-room. Siblings from 28 full-sib families from an open dune site and a woodland understory responded similarly to variation in light availability: SLA gradually increased, while anatomical and physiological traits decreased with light reduction. In the Dune population, standardized linear selection gradients were significant for SLA and ChlT at high light, VBN along the entire light gradient, SW at high-and low-, and ChlA/B at low-irradiance. In the Woods population, the significant standardized linear selection gradients were observed for SLA and LT at low-and VBN at both high-and low-irradiance. A significant nonlinear selection gradient was recorded for SD and LT at medium irradiance. Comparisons of the plastic responses to each light quantity with the phenotypes favored by selection in that environments revealed that only an increased SLA value at low light in the Woods population was ecologically significant (adaptive). In the Dune population, SD and VBN entailed plasticity costs at low irradiance, while a cost of homeostasis was recognized for ChlT and ChlA/B at medium light, SD and CW at high-and low-, and SLA at highand medium-light level. In the shaded population, CW and ChlA/B incurred plasticity costs at high irradiance, while for ChlT plasticity costs appeared under medium-and low-light conditions. In all leaf traits, genetic variation for plasticity was statistically undetectable. Genetic correlations between these traits were mostly insignificant, implying that they possess a capability for relatively independent evolution by natural selection across different light environments.

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This study was aimed at investigating the phytochemical composition and antioxidant capacity of rhizomes, above‐ground vegetative parts and flowers of three Iris species: Iris humilis Georgi, Iris pumila L. and Iris variegata L. UHPLC‐Orbitrap MS analysis was used for determination of phytochemical profile. Total pigments, phenolics, flavonoids, soluble sugars and starch content as well as ABTS antioxidant capacity were also determined. In total, 52 phenolics compounds were identified with 9 compounds (derivatives of iriflophenone, apigenin C‐glycosides, luteolin O‐glycoside, isoflavones derivatives of iristectorigenin, dichotomitin, nigracin and irilone) never reported before in Iris spp. Differences in phenolic composition profile, pigments, soluble sugar, starch, total phenolics and flavonoids content and total antioxidant capacity were found among Iris species and different part of plants. Significant correlation between total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity was determined. The obtained results are comparable with those obtained for medical plants. These findings could be useful for fingerprinting characterization of Iris species and estimation of possible use in pharmaceutical industries.

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