Robert F. Lowe,* Michael F. Russell and Ian A. Southwell, Christopher J. Robinson, John Day

Abstract: The leaf essential oils of Agonis fragrans, isolated by steam distillation and solvent extraction, were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. The major components identified in five of the six samples investigated were 1,8-cineole (28%–34% and 12%–26%, respectively) and a-pinene (14%–28 % and 12%–18% respectively). The remaining sample was almost devoid of 1, 8-cineole (1% in oil and 0% in extract) with higher concentrations of a-pinene (22% and 39%), linalool (25% and 18%) and (+)-(1S, 5R)-myrtenol (20% and 12% respectively). The compositional variation within the species indicated that a breeding project could identify and use the best composition for commercial development.

The genus <i>Agonis,/i> (Myrtaceae) (1), closely related to <i>Melaleuca</i> and <i>Leptospermum</i>, is limited in natural occurrence to the south west of Western Australia. These woody shrubs or small trees are cultivated for their ornamental shrub and cutflower value. <i>Agonis fragrans</i>, previously recognized as <i>Agonis</i> sp. Coarse Tea Tree and as <i>Agonis</i> sp. Coarse Agonis, is a newly described (2), fine-leaved, lignotuberous shrub reaching 2.4m in height on acid peaty sand in seasonally waterlogged margins of broad valleys. This investigation reports the essential oil composition of another essential oil of commercial potential from the Australian flora.