Scientific discovery in rare plant chemistry

One of the rare Penstemon species tested

“It might be used for medicines some day” is an often-cited justification for protecting imperiled plant species when scientists are pressed to justify our work to protect species that have no perceived “use.”  And yet, it appears that no one has specifically looked at the likelihood that this is true… until now.  Dr. Don Hazlet, Adjunct Researcher with Denver Botanic Gardens and ethnobotanist, will be submitting a report to the Colorado Natural Areas Program this week of the results of his studies on the biochemistry of 80 of Colorado’s rarest plants.  Dr. Hazlet has discovered the presence of certain chemicals (specifically alkaloids, which are the source of many of our medicines, e.g. codine, morpine, quinine, caffeine, nicotine, etc.) in about 10% of the plant species tested.  Of greater significance is that this is the first time this type of chemical was found in three of the genera tested (Cymopterus, Herrickia and Penstemon). Alkaloids in some Penstemon taxa, but not in others may provide clues about the evolutionary history of this complicated and diverse group.   A next step is to identify the type of alkaloids, to see if they have medical value. In general, this research provides support for the idea that there is much still to be learned about our imperiled plants and that their extinction could even mean the loss of a future cure.