Floral scent of Eleocharis elegans (Kunth) Roem. & Schult. (Cyperaceae)

The inflorescences of Eleocharis elegans and Eleocharis sellowiana were investigated by dynamic headspace/GC-MS for the presence of volatiles. No floral volatile was detected in the inconspicuous inflorescences of E. sellowiana but various floral volatiles were produced by the showy inflorescences of E. elegans. The results are discussed in their ecological and evolutionary context.