Vassilios Myrianthopoulos, Nikolas Fokialakis, Eleni Melliou and Sofia Mitaku*

Abstract: The essential oil of the inflorescence of Cionura erecta (L.) Griseb. was analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Seventy-two components were identified. The major components of the oil were safranal (16.8%), (Z)-3-hexenyl benzoate (6.1%), heneicosane (5.7%) linalool (4.8%), linalool (4.8%) and tricosane (4.4%).

Cionura erecta (L.) Griseb. (syn. Cynanchum erectum L., Marsdenia erecta (L.) R. Br.) is an unpleasant smelling plant with stems up to one meter and clusters of white flowers (1). It is widespread in the Mediterranean region and it inhabits wastelands, river gravels and maritime sands. Its poisonous properties are traditionally known since antiquity. It has been used to exterminate harmful animals and the name “Apocynon,” given to this plant by Dioscorides, refers to that particular usage (2). As part of our investigation of the essential oils of Greek flora (3-4) we report here the analysis of the essential oil of C. erecta inflorescences, which to our knowledge has never been reported earlier.