Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The aroma (smell) of spices and aromatic drugs is almost always due to volatile oils (essential oils) stored in specialized secretory structures.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
1. Clove (Syzygium aromaticum): Clove contains 15–20% volatile oil.
2. Storage: This oil is stored in large, oval, schizolysigenous oil glands located just beneath the epidermis of the flower bud.
3. Chemistry: The major constituent of this oil (responsible for the smell and the anesthetic effect) is eugenol (> 70%).
4. Tannins: Clove also contains tannins, but they are responsible for the astringent taste, not the aroma.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The distinct scent of cloves is released from the volatile oil sequestered in its specialized oil glands.