A boy watering flowers.
Many people enjoy the scent of fresh flowers, whether in the garden or in a vase. But what is it about flowers that makes them give off such an attractive aroma? In fact, the reasons flowers smell good date back to ancient plant biology.
Like all forms of life, flowers and plants have a process that allows them to reproduce. In the case of flowers, they produce seeds that allow more flowering plants to be produced over time. However, they do not have everything necessary to produce these fertile seeds. For this reason, pollination is necessary. In short, some kind of medium is needed to allow the transfer of pollen to the eggs which, in turn, will produce the fertile seeds. To some extent, this occurs when the wind moves pollen from one plant to another. However, many forms of flowers depend on the use of pollinators to carry out this process.
The scent attracts pollinators like bees to certain flowers, allowing them to reproduce.
Pollinators are simply animals and insects that will come into contact with flowers and then move on, taking the pollen with them. As they move from flower to flower, the transferred pollen interacts with the eggs and produces the seeds. As the seeds are distributed, there will be an abundance of flower types.
Part of the mechanism used to attract insects and animals like bats to roses and other flowers is fragrance. Using this powerful bait brings the pollinator closer to the plant. Also, the smell of the flower, in turn, attracts the pollinator to other plants, making pollination possible. The fact that flowers smell good is simply nature’s way of ensuring that the life cycle of plants continues uninterrupted.
The flowers smell good to both humans and insects.
Of course, humans benefit from the fact that flowers smell good. We use fragrances to freshen our homes and we see the gift of flowers as a way of showing esteem and care. Part of the reason red roses are used to convey love and physical attraction is that they have a fragrance that is considered especially alluring. Since the flowers smell good to insects, flower production will continue. As humans find flowers to smell good, there is no doubt that they will continue to be found in gardens and indoor pots for many years to come.