Stachys pilifera Benth is an endemic species of Iran where it is
found in the mountainous habitats of Zagros region. The plant is
a rich source of secondary metabolites endowed with different
medicinal properties. Here, for the first time, the essential oil variability among eleven wild populations of S. pilifera, was investigated. Results indicated that the variation of the chemical profile
of essential oils was remarkable. The most abundant components
were cis-chrysanthenyl acetate (19.1-48.2%), viridiflorol (1.4-19.1%),
trans-caryophyllene (2.3-11.9%), caryophyllene oxide (1.9-11.0%),
limonene (2.0- 5.9%) and spathulenol (0.0- 9.5). Based on the
cluster analyses (CA), four main chemotypes were recognized:
chemotype I (cis-chrysanthenyl acetate), chemotype II (cis-chrysanthenyl acetate/viridiflorol), chemotype III (cis-chrysanthenyl
acetate/viridiflorol/spathulenol), chemotype IV (cis-chrysanthenyl
acetate/trans-caryophyllene/a-pinene). The chemical variation
detected can be useful to consider these populations for pharmaceutical industries and industrial applications as well as for
domestication and conservation purposes.