Abstract
The floral scent of Chimonanthus praecox (L.) Link (Calycanthaceae; Magnoliids) was collected by the headspace method and analyzed using gas chromatography - mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The main components of the floral scents are benzyl acetate (42.2 %), frans-β-ocimene (24.8%), linalool (17.2 %), and benzyl alcohol (6.9%). These compounds are common in the scent profiles of many plants throughout the angiosperms. In addition, the female and male stages (phases) of the protogynous, drooping flowers of C. praecox f. concolor Makino were observed. In the female phase the stamens are bent toward the tepals away from the pistils at a right angle. After approximately two days the stamens commence to move to enclose the pistils. It takes from one to four days for the stamens to eventually enclose the pistils in the various flowers and then anthers shed their pollen.
