Root

The Science of Scent

Can Flowers Lose Their Scent While Retaining Their Genes?

Does the evolution of weaker floral scent occur through the loss of scent-producing genes? A comparison of 30 Costus species suggests that flowers pollinated by hummingbirds may retain the genes while reducing their activity.
The Science of Scent

Do Rose Petals and Stamens Give Off the Same Scent?

Comparing a wild rose’s petals, stamens, and pistils reveals differences in prominent scent compounds. This study also explores spatial and temporal changes through gene activity.
The Science of Scent

How Does Jasmine Scent Change as Flowers Open?

A study compares volatile compounds and gene activity across flowering stages in a multi-petaled jasmine, exploring candidate contributors to its fragrance and the mechanisms behind them.
The Science of Scent

Do Small RNAs Regulate Floral Scent?

A study in white-flowered Hedychium examines small RNAs that regulate scent production, introducing mechanisms that connect them to plant hormones and biosynthetic enzymes.
The Science of Scent

Do Yellow Flowers Bring Bees Back?

What changes when yellow lines arise in red flowers pollinated by hummingbirds? A study of two Mimulus species found changes not only in color but also in scent and shape. Bees visited yellow flowers more often, but the fit between bee and flower was still incomplete.
The Science of Scent

Do Different Grapevines Have Different Floral Scents?

Muscadine grapes include cultivars bearing female flowers and others bearing hermaphroditic flowers with both stamens and pistils. A study of 16 genotypes found differences in compounds extracted from their flowers. Together with hand-pollination results, the findings were used to consider how flower shape, scent, and pollen rewards relate to pollination.
The Science of Scent

Does Floral Scent Change When Pollen Is Removed?

Can scent reveal whether hidden pollen remains? A comparison of buzz-pollinated Solanum flowers explores whether chemical differences could provide information to visiting insects.
The Science of Scent

Can Floral Scent Compounds Also Contribute to Plant Defense?

Two enzymes identified in petunia produce a scent compound and connect to salicylic-acid synthesis. Their cellular locations offer further insight into scent and defense metabolism.
The Science of Scent

Can Internal Plant Signals Change Chrysanthemum Scent?

A study of a fruity-scented chrysanthemum explores the mechanism linking plant hormone signals to scent-compound synthesis. It also examines the difference between when compounds are produced and when they are released.
The Science of Scent

How Have Orchid Scents Evolved?

Researchers detected 297 volatile compounds in 41 Malagasy orchid species. The study explores how striking scent diversity can coexist with possible evolutionary constraints.