Leaf of viola
The scent of violet flowers is different from the scent of the leaves. The flower possesses a sweet powdery, woody-floral scent which is due to the ionones in the flower. These ionones were first separated from Parma violets by Tiemann and Kruger in 1893. The discovery of ionones triggered the successful production of synthetic violet notes which are identical in scent but less expensive than the precious natural oil. Nowadays, ionones and methyl ionones are used in almost every perfume. The scent palette of ionones ranges from aromas of fresh violet in blossoms to mild woody and sweet floral nuances. Methyl ionones possess a stronger woody nuance, similar to iris.
