Hello! So I have a couple of flowering arabian jasmine plants in the garden and I brought one small flower into the house because who doesn't like flowers?? Anyways, after a bit more observation on said flower, I noticed that the smell of the jasmine (since it's just one small flower, I have to put my nose fairly close just to catch the scent ðŸ˜) is significantly more prominent if I leave it face down like in the first photo than if I leave it face up like in the second photo. Additionally, this also occurs when I move the flower around (ie. After tossing it here and there or shaking the flower in my hand, it noticeably smells stronger for awhile) Does anyone know or have a theory as to why it's like this? What even causes flowers, especially arabian jasmines like this one, to have a smell? Thank you in advanced! I just can't get the question out of my head :'))
(PS: sorry that the flower looks silly in the photo idk why that one petal is just streeeeetching out 💀)
by Only_Hurry_3472
2 Comments
I would think damaged tissues would release more of the odor compounds, so that’s why the back smells stronger. Moving it vigorously probably does some sort of bruising-like damage, with a similar effect.
Some of the odor of Jasmin flowers is from jasmonic acid and methyl jasmonate which are produced in response to mechanical damage. So, handling the flower would likely increase production of those compounds. I think temperature might also affect volatility of the molecules, and the time of day might also affect production of aroma compounds.