Kuczerenko A., Krawczyk M., Przybył J.L., Geszprych A., Angielczyk M., Bączek K., Węglarz Z.

The aim of the study was an ex situ evaluation of morphological and chemical variability within the population of common avens. Plant height, number of shoots, stage of generative development (number of flower buds, flowers, and fruits), as well as weight of herb and underground organs were determined. In the raw materials total content of tannins and content of particular phenolic compounds identified by HPLC was determined. In underground organs also content of eugenol - the dominant constituent of essential oil was assessed. High diversity of morphological traits (especially weight of herb and underground organs) and the content of determined compounds (especially in herb) was found. Above- and underground organs differed in the composition and content of phenolic compounds. Underground organs were characterised by higher content of flavan-3-ols, but they did not contain chlorogenic acid, which was the dominant phenolic compound in herb.

Key words: herb, underground organs, phenolic compounds, tannins, phenolic acids, eugenol