What's that fantastic smell? (Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood: houses, live, store)

[Reptoid Humidian]

I just recently took another trip to Florida (Oct 20-Nov 2) and upon landing at Ft Lauderdale/Hollywood Intl. I was met by balmy tropical air and that classic South Florida smell that I remember from my other trips. Everytime I smell it after having been away for a long time it seems to come into clearer definition and I notice things I didn't before. On the first couple of trips I simply attributed this smell as the smell of humidity mixed with jet fuel. However I noticed a certain sweet smell that may or may not be some kind of combination of flowers and mosses that I hadn't been able to separate out from the melange before.

Does anyone know what defining type of flower, vegetation or moss gives South Florida its characteristic smell? This may require the the senses of a person who regularly travels in and out of florida. If you live there all the time you may not even be aware of the scent.

[LiLShorty4lyfe]

Garbage? LOL.. sorry I had to

[Reptoid Humidian]

No, not garbage. That only happens when you're by that "mountain" on U.S. 441!

The air in Florida is almost like a drug to me! It's like a perfume scent --- as a matter of fact, a customer came into my store here in San Diego and was wearing a perfume that actually smelled like this and *Flashback!* I was stepping off the plane at Fort Lauderdale again!

There is an area on Stirling Road near the bridge that goes over the turnpike, where you can smell it real strong in the early morning hours. Pure Heaven!!!

[EdgeCity]

I'm not sure what is growing around that area. I know there are some palm tree farms?

If you think it smells good here (I live here and I am not sure I have noticed it that much!) try driving up through Indian River County (or one of the other citrus areas) through the citrus groves when the trees are in bloom.

[Hialeah_Rules]

pot grow houses?

[fauve]

I'm guessing midnight jasmine - it grows here and is very perfume-y (in a good way!)

[Reptoid Humidian]

Also, does South Florida keep that humid smell on those colder or drier days in winter or does it ever smell "wintery"? I have noticed this in San Diego, that on dry cold nights there's a sort of wintery smell that could be anything from smoke from chimneys to the smells that emanate from the trees as they go dormant in the winter season. That "winter"smell was a big disappointment for me when I moved to San Diego.

[StreetSmarts]

Originally Posted by Reptoid Humidian

No, not garbage. That only happens when you're by that "mountain" on U.S. 441!

The air in Florida is almost like a drug to me! It's like a perfume scent --- as a matter of fact, a customer came into my store here in San Diego and was wearing a perfume that actually smelled like this and *Flashback!* I was stepping off the plane at Fort Lauderdale again!

There is an area on Stirling Road near the bridge that goes over the turnpike, where you can smell it real strong in the early morning hours. Pure Heaven!!!

LOL, dont smell the tap water.

[Sunny-Days-in-Florida]

People think you are crazy when you mention this.

I have always known of the smell and can remember it when we were kids going on vacation in Florida.

Still today, when we get off the plane or get out of the car at the welcome center we also get that smell.

People might laugh but it is there for sure.

Its a good thing!!

[ruski]

I would also say it is midnight jasmine. But it only starts smelling around 10pm.