A novel phytochemical and ecological study of the Nunavik medicinal plant Rhodiola rosea L

Canadian populations of Rhodiola rosea L. growing in Nunavik, Quebec, were mapped and examined for the presence of medicinal phytochemicals for the first time. Four relevant phytochemicals salidroside and rosavins, including rosavin, rosarin and rosin, were detected in various Canadian collections. Quantitative comparison of chemical profiles, from different circumpolar samples, revealed significant variations between European and Canadian populations and among Nunavik local populations. In Canada, plants from the Mingan Islands showed the highest quantity of phytochemicals. Salidroside concentration in Nunavik plants was significantly affected by herbivory and gender whereas amount of rosavins remained stable.;The ecological survey of Nunavik populations indicated an irregular distribution of R. rosea along Ungava Bay. Distribution maps were created and a predictive distribution model was generated. Plant abundance was observed along the east coast as opposed to near absence on the west coast. Various environmental factors and historical contingency could have influenced this distribution.