Diversity and evolution of floral scent in the genus Vanilla.
Abstract
Plants have developed mechanisms such as the release of volatile compounds by flowers to allow interactions with the environment and specifically with their pollinators. The evolution of floral scents in the genus Vanilla (Orchidaceae) is being tested by comparing floral scent profiles with the genus phylogeny (as obtained by nuclear ribosomal ITS sequencing) to assess if this trait is phylogenetically constrained and/or an adaptation to pollinators.