News Chemistry

Missing enzyme to blame for scentless roses

Discovery could help solve thorny problem for flower growers

rose

FLAUNTING FRAGRANCE   By comparing a sweet-smelling Papa Meilland rose (shown) with a bland bloom, researchers discovered a surprising enzyme critical to roses' aroma-making.

Takashi .M/Flickr (CC BY 2.0)

By Beth Mole

- More than 2 years ago

Stopping to smell the roses might be a letdown — and now researchers know why.

The sweet-smelling flowers craft their scent using a surprising enzyme, previously thought to help prune genetic errors, researchers report July 3 in Science.