Flower scent, pollinators, and effects of proximity between plants on fruit set of the rare, threatened, and endemic <scp> <i>Daphne rodriguezii</i> </scp>

Abstract This study focuses on Daphne rodriguezii , a threatened plant species that is endemic to Menorca in the Balearic Islands of the Western Mediterranean. The main objective was to investigate the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the floral aroma, as well as the timing and chemical variations in scent production. The primary pollinators were identified, and the relationship between their behavior and the chemical profile of the floral scent was investigated. Furthermore, the impact of plant density on fruit set rates was evaluated to obtain valuable insights for conservation and habitat‐management initiatives. The findings reveal that D. rodriguezii emits a distinct sweet floral aroma that primarily consists of benzenoids and linalool derivatives. Scent emission occurs during the evening and night, coinciding with the activity period of moths ( Autographa gamma ), which were identified as the primary pollen vectors for this self‐incompatible species. The fruit set values exhibit a positive correlation with the proximity between plants. These results emphasize the importance of moths and plant proximity as crucial factors to consider in the conservation management of this species.