Les relations entre les prairies du Triseto-Polygonion et les mégaphorbiaies de l'Adenostylion: l'analyse flavonique d'espèces communes aux deux groupements

Abstract Relationships between two plant communities in the south-western Alps, high-altitude manured meadows ( Triseto-Polygonion ) and lower tall grass prairies ( Adenostylion ) have been examined by means of the flavonoid analysis of specimens belonging to six species common to those two associations. The species, collected at eight stations of the Ligurian Alps and the Ubaye valley, are: Trollius europaeus (Ranunculaceae), Chaerophyllum aureum (Umbellifereae), Silene cucubalus (Caryophyllaceae), Polygonum bistorta ) (Polygonaceae), Alchemilla vulgaris (Rosaceae) and Centaurea montana (Compositae). In every species, factorial analysis of correspondence was applied to the distribution of flavonoid glycosides. This led to the partition of the populations into two groups according to the two sectors (Ligurian Alphs Ubaye valley) of the collection area. Secondly, populations of two species, Alchemilla vulgaris and Centaurea montana , exhibited further correlation of their flavonoid pattern with their phytosociological origin.