Variation in Leaf Wax Alkanes in Cypress Trees Grown in Kenya

Abstract

Gas-liquid chromatographic analysis of alkane fractions isolated from the leaf waxes of Cypress trees has shown the proportions in which they occur to be variable. Variation with species, seed provenance and between individual trees within a plantation is evident. To use the leaf wax alkane composition as a taxonomic discriminant requires careful replicated sampling with concurrent reference sampling of authenticated stands.