Now, a study coauthored by researchers at the University of California, Davis provides insights into how plants “smell.” By using a combination of genetics, biochemistry and structural biology, the researchers showed that petunia plants perceive molecular signals emitted by budding flowers via KAI2 receptors. Without these receptors, the plants were unable to perceive signals sent out by their flower buds, and as a result their flowers had stunted development and produced fewer seeds.

— Read more in How Plants Sense Scent: New study shows how plants use scent for internal communication at UC Davis.