The Intriguing World of Aromatic Molecules in Plants

Speaker: Jankees van der Have
Secondary metabolites are plant compounds not directly required for normal growth or reproduction. Each plant species produces its own range of these components-many of them aromatic molecules, which form part of the “communication” between the plant and its environment.
The plant produces these molecules to create a selective advantage.
For example, they can attract the right pollinators, the animals who disperse their seeds, or form part of the plant’s defence system, deterring herbivores such as insect or mammals. Some inhibit or suppress the growth of microorganisms such as invading bacteria or fungi.
Australian native plants also produce a wide array of aromatic compounds. These compounds and their role in the interesting interactions between the plants and their environment will be the subject of this talk.

Public is welcome to attend.

You may also like the following events from THECA:

• This month, 31st August, 12:00 am, Forest Foray Art Workshop with Sandra Pearce in Mount Coot-tha