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Mignonette
Reseda odorata
モクセイソウ
An annual or biennial native to the Mediterranean coast, occasionally cultivated ornamentally in Japan. The small pale yellowish-green flowers have an exceptionally strong fragrance and have been historically valued as a perfume ingredient. Its French name 'Reseda' means 'little darling.'
Identification Points
- ✓Small pale yellowish-green flowers densely clustered in spikes
- ✓Extremely strong sweet fragrance
- ✓Simple alternate spatulate leaves
Habitat
Flower beds and pots (cultivated)
Season
May–July (flowers)
Morphological TraitsAI-estimated, needs verification
Growth form
Herb
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf type
Simple
Habitat
Cultivated
Venation
Pinnate
Petal count
4 petals
Stipules
Present
Flower symmetry
Zygomorphic
Ovary position
Superior
Stamen count
3-4
Phylogenetic Positionモクセイソウ科 →
Phylogenetic Position
Angiosperms > Eudicots > Core Eudicots > Brassicales > Resedaceae
Divergence Era
Paleogene (ca. 55 million years ago)
Evolution Notes
Resedaceae is a small family in Brassicales, characterized by zygomorphic flowers and aromatic compound production. Despite its historical importance in the perfume industry, it is a taxonomically small group.
View on evolution timeline →Sources & References
AI-generated, needs verification