Corpse flower facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Corpse flower |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Amorphophallus
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| Species: |
titanum
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| Synonyms | |
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The titan arum, Amorphophallus titanum, or corpse flower is a flowering plant with the largest unbranched inflorescence in the world.
The titan arum's inflorescence is not as large as that of the talipot palm, Corypha umbraculifera, but the inflorescence of the talipot palm is branched rather than unbranched.
Due to its odor, which is like the smell of a decomposing animal, the titan arum is called a 'carrion flower', or 'corpse flower', or 'corpse plant'. For the same reason, the name 'corpse flower' is also used for the genus Rafflesia which, like the titan arum, grows in the rainforests of Sumatra. The function of the smell is to attract insect pollinators.
Both male and female flowers grow in the same inflorescence. The female flowers open first, and only lasts (or is "receptive") about 12 to 24 hours. Then a day or two following, the male flowers open. This usually prevents the flower from self-pollinating.
The popular name "titan arum" was invented by the broadcaster and naturalist Sir David Attenborough for his BBC series The Private Life of Plants, in which the flowering and pollination of the plant were filmed for the first time. Attenborough felt that calling the plant Amorphophallus on a popular TV documentary would be inappropriate.
The record size is 3.1 m (10 ft 2.25 in) tall.
Images for kids
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Small corm of A. titanum, Muttart Conservatory, Edmonton, Canada
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The pollen area as seen from the inside (UC Davis, California)
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First of two plants, Kew Gardens, London, May 1, 2009
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Second of two plants, Kew Gardens, London, May 1, 2009
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"Morticia", Franklin Park Zoo, Boston, Massachusetts, USA, June 20, 2012
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Titan Arum, Royal Botanic Gardens, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, December 27, 2012
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"Morty", Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens, Buffalo, NY, USA, August 8, 2014
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Huntington Library, San Marino, California August 24, 2014
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A. titanum close up, Bayreuth University, Germany, June 7, 2015
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A. titanum close up, Bayreuth University, Germany, June 6, 2015
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A. titanum, Bayreuth University, Germany, June 7, 2015
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A. titanum close up, Bayreuth University, Germany, June 6, 2015
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"Putrella", Muttart Conservatory, Edmonton, Canada, April 7, 2015
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A. titanum leaflets, Muttart Conservatory, Edmonton, Canada
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A. titanum with fruits, Liberec, Czech Republic
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A. titanum, Bogor Botanical Gardens
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