Summary
Most Aniba (Lauraceae) species occur in Amazonia. They are represented by trees which contain essential oil in all of their organs. Oils from different organs of any species show little variation in composition. In contradistinction, such surprisingly drastic variation may be noted among different species, that they can be classified into groups. The linalool — group comprises A. duckei Kosterm. and A. rosaeodora Ducke. The benzyl benzoate — group comprises A. burchellii Kosterm., A. firmula (Nees et Mart.) Mez., A. fragrans Ducke, A. gardneri (Meissn.) Mez, A. guianensis Aubl., A. parviflora (Meissn.) Mez and A. permollis (Nees) Mez. The allylbenzene — group comprises A. canelilla (H.B.K.) Mez. A. hostmanniana (Nees) Mez and A. pseudocoto (Rusby) Kosterm. Detailed analysis revealed the presence in some of these oils of such rare plant products as l-nitro-2-phenylethane, phenylathyl benzoate, O-methylisoeugenol and 2, 4, 5-trimethoxyallylbenzene.