Flavonoids are polyphenolic compounds found in all
vascular and non-vascular plants. Although nonessential
for plant growth and development, flavonoids have
species-specific roles in nodulation, fertility, defense
and UV protection. Flavonoids have been shown to
modulate transport of the phytohormone auxin in
addition to auxin-dependent tropic responses. However,
flavonoids are not essential regulators of these processes
because transport and tropic responses occur
in their absence. Flavonoids modulate the activity of
auxin-transporting P-glycoproteins and seem to modulate
the activity of regulatory proteins such as phosphatases
and kinases. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that
auxin transport mechanisms evolved in the presence of
flavonoid compounds produced for the scavenging of
reactive oxygen species and defense from herbivores
and pathogens.