Cyanogenic glycosides are defense substances found in some plants that are able to produce cyanhydric acid on hydrolysis. The present work aimed to study the occurrence of cyanogenesis in pteridophytes of rocky areas of Pedra de Itacoatiara, State Park of Serra da Tiririca, Rio de Janeiro State. Nineteen species, distributed in 13 genera and nine families have been analyzed monthly, during one year. In each species, the analysis was carried out on fertile leaves, sterile ones, young leaves (croziers) and stems. Cyanogenesis was evidenced using filter paper embedded with picric acid. Among studied species, 14 were analysed here for the first time, and 14 gave a positive picric test. Our results showed variation along time in the production of cyanhydric acid in the vegetal species and parts. The species, Microgramma vacciniifolia (Langsd. & Fisch.) Copel. (Polypodiaceae) and Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn var. arachnoideum (Kaulf.) Brade (Dennstaedtiaceae) were cyanogenic all along the studied period.
secondary metabolites; toxic plants; chemical ecology; monilophyte; licophyte
