Iridoid

Iridoids are a type of monoterpenoids in the general form of cyclopentanopyran, found in a wide variety of plants and some animals.

The iridoids produced by plants act primarily as a defense against herbivores or against infection by microorganisms.

[citation needed] The variable checkerspot butterfly also contains iridoids obtained through its diet which act as a defense against avian predators.

[citation needed] Iridoids are prevalent in the plant subclass Asteridae, such as Ericaceae, Loganiaceae, Gentianaceae, Rubiaceae, Verbenaceae, Lamiaceae, Oleaceae, Plantaginaceae, Scrophulariaceae, Valerianaceae, and Menyanthaceae.

Moreno-Escobar, Jorge A.; Alvarez, Laura; Rodrıguez-Lopez, Veronica; Marquina Bahena, Silvia (2 March 2013).