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Which hydrocarbons occur naturally in plants?

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structures of common hydrocarbon compounds — hydrocarbon Structures assumed by hydrogen (H) and carbon (C) molecules in four common hydrocarbon compounds.

Many hydrocarbons occur naturally in plants, where they serve various biological functions or contribute to plant characteristics like scent and color.

Ethylene: This simple alkene acts as a plant hormone, playing a critical role in the ripening of fruits.1
Terpenes: These hydrocarbons are abundant in essential oils. Common examples include myrcene (found in bayberry), limonene (found in lime oil), and α-pinene (a major component of turpentine from pine trees).12
Carotenes: These are polyenes responsible for pigments in plants. Lycopene, for instance, provides the red color in tomatoes and watermelon.13
Natural Rubber: The hydrocarbon fraction of natural rubber consists of long-chain polymer molecules composed of repeating isoprene units.12

While hydrocarbons containing carbon-carbon triple bonds also exist in plants and fungi, they are significantly less abundant than those containing double bonds. Additionally, historical classification identified aromatic hydrocarbons as substances derived from the chemical breakdown of pleasant-smelling plant extracts.143