Volemitol was discovered in a rare species of mushroom, Lactarius volemus Fr. Seven years later volemitol was isolated from three species of primrose (Primula grandiflora L., elatior Jaeq., and officinalis Jacq.). Volemitol found in avocado seeds. Volemitol is the major nonstructural carbohydrate in leaves of horticultural hybrid polyanthus (Primula x polyantha) at all stages development, with concentration of up to 25% of the dry weight. Volemitol is biosynthesized from sedoheptulose by a NADPH-dependent sedoheptulose reductase. In the brown alga Pelvetia canaliculata volemitol was synthesized from sedoheptulose 7-phosphate by the action of an NADH-dependent reductase via volemitol 1-phosphate. Volemitol is used as a natural sweetening agent.