Variation in Indolealkylamine Content of Individual Phalaris aquatica L. Plants¹

Abstract

Plants of Phalaris aqtiatica L. (syn. P. tuberosa L.) ‘Stenoptera’ grown from seed have widely varying differences in their concentrations of N,N‐dimethyltryptamine and N,N‐diniethyl‐5‐methoxytryptamine. Although some variation was anticipated, the magnitude of the differences was beyond expectation and in sharp contrast to the indolealkylamine content of plants propagated vegetatively. It is suggested that the variation noted may have important ecological implications with reference to Phalaris toxicity.