Wild, Wonderful Aroids-Part 3-Amorphophallus-Page 2

The opening inflorescence radiates scent to entice its pollinating insects. In most species it's an awful stench, reminiscent of dead and decaying flesh, while a few species have scents that are likened to carrots, anise (A. albispathus), chocolate or lemon - in other words, pleasant to human noses.

For those interested in things chemical, Guy Van der Kinderen, in a post to the Carnivorous Plants List, said that he had analyzed the odor of A. konjac and found dimethyl disulfide, responsible for the heavy scent near the flower and mercaptan which is responsible for the stench waves that may carry farther away from the plant.

Many species further imitate death with their brownish-purple colors and some have hairs on the appendix, extending the illusion of a deceased furry mammal. What plants won't do to pander to the insects that pollinate them!!

Intimate Views

The spadix is comprised of three sections of varying size.

The appendix is the most variable portion. It is a collection of fused and non-functional male flowers called a synandrodium; in fact, a continuation of the male zone.

Both it and the male flowers produce heat that helps transmit scent to attract pollinators. One theory speculates that the often extreme exposure of the appendix acts as a sort of heat flag to attract pollinators...sounds reasonable to me.

Spadix Variations

Considering that the spadix consists only of male and female flowers, I find it amazing that these plants manage to exhibit so many variations on the theme. For larger photographs, showing minute detail, visit Alan Galloway's Amorphophallus pages.

Pollinators

It appears that there have been few actual observations of pollination; most consist of having seen insects inside the spath but whether they were actually effecting pollination is not known. It is assumed that carrion beetles, small staphylinid beetles and perhaps other night active beetles are the primary pollinators.

The cup-like base at the bottom of the spathe may be an insect trap, at least for those species whose base is structured properly to retain insects. Some species constrict just above the base, which would prevent insects from climbing out. A few have hair-like organs that may block exit.