Corpse flower facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Corpse flower |
|
|---|---|
_-_2.jpg) |
|
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Amorphophallus
|
| Species: |
titanum
|
| Synonyms | |
|
|
The titan arum (say: TIE-tan AIR-um), also known as Amorphophallus titanum or the corpse flower, is a very special flowering plant. It has the largest unbranched flower structure in the entire world!
Even though the talipot palm has a bigger flower structure overall, the titan arum's is unique because it's just one giant stalk, not many branches.
Contents
The Amazing Corpse Flower
This plant gets its nickname, 'corpse flower', because of its incredibly strong smell. It smells just like a dead animal! This stinky smell helps the plant attract certain insects. These insects are its pollinators, meaning they help the plant make seeds. Another plant, the Rafflesia, also smells bad and is sometimes called a 'corpse flower'. Both of these plants grow in the warm, wet rainforests of Sumatra.
How Does It Grow?
The titan arum has both male and female flowers on the same giant stalk. But they don't open at the same time! First, the female flowers open up. They are only ready to be pollinated for about 12 to 24 hours. Then, a day or two later, the male flowers open. This clever timing usually stops the plant from pollinating itself.
Naming the Giant Plant
The popular name "titan arum" was actually created by a famous TV presenter and naturalist, Sir David Attenborough. He used this name for his BBC show The Private Life of Plants. This was the first time the plant's flowering and pollination were ever filmed for TV. Sir Attenborough thought the scientific name, Amorphophallus, might not be suitable for a family TV show!
How Big Can It Get?
The titan arum is truly a giant! The tallest one ever recorded was about 3.1 meters (which is over 10 feet) tall. Imagine a flower taller than most rooms in your house!
Images for kids
-
Small corm (underground stem) of A. titanum
-
The pollen area seen from inside the flower
-
One of two plants at Kew Gardens, London, May 1, 2009
-
The second plant at Kew Gardens, London, May 1, 2009
-
"Morticia", a titan arum at Franklin Park Zoo, Boston, USA, June 20, 2012
-
Titan Arum at Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne, Australia, December 27, 2012
-
"Morty" at Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, USA, August 8, 2014
-
A titan arum at Huntington Library, San Marino, California August 24, 2014
-
A close-up of A. titanum at Bayreuth University, Germany, June 7, 2015
-
Another close-up of A. titanum at Bayreuth University, Germany, June 6, 2015
-
A. titanum at Bayreuth University, Germany, June 7, 2015
-
A. titanum close-up at Bayreuth University, Germany, June 6, 2015
-
"Putrella", at Muttart Conservatory, Edmonton, Canada, April 7, 2015
-
The leaves of A. titanum
-
A. titanum with fruits, Liberec, Czech Republic
-
A. titanum at Bogor Botanical Gardens
.jpg)
