It's interesting to consider the role of essential oils in the life of plants before diving into how they are produced. This topic has sparked discussions for many years, and while there isn't a clear consensus, several theories have emerged regarding their significance:
- To deter herbivores: Both mono- and sesquiterpenes play a role in this, either by acting as insect hormones that disrupt the growth of feeding insects or by simply repelling them. Additionally, essential oils and other secondary metabolites can make plant tissues bitter and unappealing.
- To fend off insects: Research indicates that when plants are under insect attack, they tend to increase the number of oil glands.
- To combat bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms: Numerous studies have demonstrated the antifungal and bactericidal effects of volatile oils derived from herbs.
- To facilitate pollination by attracting bees and other pollinators like moths and bats.
- To assist in healing wounds that the plant may sustain.
- To serve as an energy reserve.
- To enhance survival in challenging growth conditions: For example, plants can produce allelopathic compounds like 1,8-cineole and camphor, which are released into the soil to inhibit the growth of neighboring plants.
- To reduce dehydration and provide some protection in hot, dry environments by creating a layer of volatile oil around the plant, which helps minimize water loss from its leaves. Additionally, leaves covered in glandular hairs can trap evaporating water molecules.
One of the oldest known plants, eucalyptus, can have leaves that contain up to 10% oil by weight. Remarkably, living root stock of this plant has been traced back thousands of years to the Ice Age.
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