[StitsVobsaith]

I have been interested in plant aromas for as long as I can remember. When I walk though the bush I am constantly picking leaves from any plant that is unfamiliar to me and smelling the crushed leaves.

There is a good book on the aromatic plants of Australia by Wriggley and Fagg (who else!). The describe a wide range of plants and their smells, but they don't go into the chemistry. I recommend it to anyone interested in the subject.

I notice that the Rutaceae rank highly amongst the aromatic plants.

Some of the minor components of the chemicals in plants can have significant effects. For example, small amounts of indole promote the powerful smell of jasmine, but it doesn't actually smell of jasmine itself. And in fact it is present in faeces!

Thanks for heads up on the book (you just reminded me I have a copy of Wrigley and Fagg's Eucalypts on lay-by, better go pick it up).

Rutaceae certainly are aromatic, we have Zieria smithii in abundance in "my" little patch of bush. Many people find it 'orrible, but I don't find the smell that offensive.

Years ago I borrowed my Dad's car to do a trip to Canberra and decided to take the back road through Captain's Flat and Araluen on my return journey. Spotted a Prostanthera species I'd not seen before and thought I'd grab a heap of material for cuttings. By the time I made it home the car stank of the stuff and even after removing it the smell lingered for weeks (the bits of plant I grabbed got placed in a plastic bag and didn't come in actual contact with any part of the car interior, so it must the fumes/volatiles (or whatever correct term is) getting into the carpet. Dad was not impressed with me.