PARTITION OF FRAGRANCE BETWEEN CALYX AND COROLLA IN POLEMONIUM-FOLIOSISSIMUM

In two populations of Polemonium foliosissimum separated by 500 m elevation in the Colorado Rockies, the floral structures of individual plants produced a succession of fragrances during the reproductive cycle: buds smelled pungent or skunky; most blossoms exuded a pleasant floral fragrance and fruits reverted to a pungent or skunky odor. Dissection of the floral parts revealed that the pungent and skunky volatiles originated in the calyx, whereas the sweet floral scent originated in the corolla. Gas chromatography confirmed that the chemical composition of the corolla differed from that of the calyx and provided tentative identification of some of the compounds responsible for the fragrances.