BOT 2000 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Crocus Sativus, Spice Trade, Herbaceous Plant
Document Summary
Essential oils: volatile aromatic compounds produced by plants that are responsible for their scent or capture their essence ; also known as volatile oils, but not really oils! Complex group of hydrophobic compounds usually consisting of terpenes. Tend to be phytotoxic (toxic to the plant) To prevent damage, typically produced or sequestered into specialized structures where they are physically separated from the rest of the plant. Structures exist in various parts, incl. leaves, roots, stems, fruit & take a # of forms such as glandular trichomes (leaf hairs), resin ducts, glandular epidermis, & others. Proposed to play a variety of roles in life of plants: many are antimicrobial help plants defend themselves against pathogens, attract or deter various insects. Attract pollinators or repel herbivorous insects, may attract predatory insects to help defend plants from herbivorous insect. Induce responses in plant tissues to elicit plant defence response.
