Abstract
Floral scent was collected by headspace methods from intact flowers, petals, and stamens of four species ofPyrolaceae. The scent samples were analyzed by coupled gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The floral scent inPyrola spp. is differentiated into a characteristic petal scent—phenyl propanoids and a characteristic stamen scent—methoxy benzenes. InMoneses the scent is characterized by isoprenoids and benzenoids, with a larger proportion of benzenoids in the stamens compared to the petals. Specific anther scents may promote foraging efficiency in buzz-pollinated species and enhance flower fidelity. Variation in floral scent composition is consistent with the taxonomic relationships among the genera and species examined.
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Knudsen, J.T., Tollsten, L. Floral scent and intrafloral scent differentiation inMoneses andPyrola (Pyrolaceae). Pl Syst Evol 177, 81–91 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00937829
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00937829