This amorphous alkaloid occurs in Amsinckia intermedia Fisch & Mey, and has
also been isolated from A. hispada (Ruiz et Pav.) Johnst. and A. lycopsoides
Lehm. It is dextrorotatory with [α]20D + 4.0° (c 0.79, EtOH) and + 4.8° (c 2.39,
EtOH). Alkaline hydrolysis furnishes retronecine and (+ )-trachelanthic acid. The
structure has been confirmed by synthesis, the spectra indicating that the alkaloid
is present in the plant as a racemate
