scents:formerly mirabilis

I remember a fascinating article years ago in National Geographic, I believe, that explored scent and the perception of scent. Apparently it is genetically, as well as environmentally, controlled, and some people just do not have the receptors to smell some basic scents. Most scents, like colors and tastes, are made up of combinations of organic compounds, and if one is missing some of the receptors, the sense of smell will detect something different or just not detect that smell at all. The most telling example, I thought, was that 20% of all males simply do not have the ability to "smell" body odor. I think that explains alot!

Karrie Reid
Folsom Foothill Gardener
Zone 9
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