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Rose, jasmine, violet, magnolia, lilac… The flowers offer farandole fragrances. How do they produce these scents? Why do some smell better than others?
There are approximately 350,000 species of flowering plants, each with distinct characteristics, including scents.
How do flowers produce fragrance?
The scent of flowers is mainly due to the presence of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in their petals. These VOCs are aromatic molecules that are released into the air and trap our nose, creating an olfactory sensation.
Each plant species produces a specific range of VOCs that contribute to its distinctive aroma. Some plants are genetically programmed to produce more fragrance than others.
Environmental conditions such as light, temperature, humidity and soil can affect the production of VOCs. For example, a plant grown in nutrient-rich soil may produce more fragrance than a plant grown in poor soil.
Scent production can also vary throughout the day. Some flowers release more fragrance during the day to attract pollinators, while others produce their fragrance at night.
Read alsoWhat happens in the garden at night?
Why do flowers emit scents?
These odors serve to promote pollination. This is the process by which flowers are propagated. By depositing pollen from one flower to another, insects allow the stamens (male reproductive organs) and pistils (female reproductive organs) to meet, ensuring the reproduction of the flower.
Sweet Scent Strategy
Some flowers, such as jasmine, lilies, and hyacinths, produce sweet, pleasant scents that attract pollinators such as butterflies, bees, and bumblebees.
Rotten smell strategy
In contrast, others mimic odors associated with organic decay, such as that of carrion, urine, feces, or rotting meat, to attract scavenging insects such as flies and houseflies, which are attracted to these odors and thus encouraged to visit the flowers. Among them stinking hellebore or lysichiton.
Read alsoWhat are useful insects in the garden?
Why do some plants not smell at all?
In contrast, other flowers may not have a distinct scent for various reasons. This may be an evolutionary adaptation to deter herbivores from eating them, or simply a characteristic of the species.
For example, some plants, such as grasses and conifers, rely on the wind for pollination. They therefore do not produce odors because they do not need to attract pollinators.
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