Stilbenes were reported from Gnetum species that shows both gymnospermic and angiospermic characters. What is the evolutionary trend if they are only confined to Gymnosperms?
Stilbenes are small family of plant secondary metabolites derived from the phenylpropanoid pathway, and produced in a number of unrelated plant species.They usually participate in defence mechanisms in plants.
Stilbenes are found in angiospermic plants belonging to families Fabaceae, Betulaceae, Vitaceae, Polygonaceae, Dipterocarpaceae, Cyperaceae and Poaceae. In gymnosperms they have been reported from plants belonging to families Gnetaceae and Pinaceae.
Stilbenes are a small family of plant secondary metabolites derived from the phenylpropanoid pathway, and produced in a number of unrelated plant species. These compounds have numerous implications in plant disease resistance and human health. Stilbenes are not confined to only gymnosperms but are found in angiosperms as well. Their role in plants include resistance to microbial infections, participation in structural polymers, defense against herbivores, protection against abiotic stress. They play important functions in plant-pollinator interactions. Please go through the attached documents. Article Role of Natural Stilbenes in the Prevention of Cancer