![]() Pollination īoth visual interactions and odor are important attractants for pollinators. Trimethylamine is the cause of the "rotten fish smell" towards the end of the flower's life. Methyl thiolacetate (which has a cheesy, garlic-like odor) and isovaleric acid (smells of sweat) also contribute to the smell of the flower. Biochemical tests on Amorphophallus species revealed foul-smelling dimethyl sulfides such as dimethyl disulfide and dimethyl trisulfide, and in other species, trace amounts of amines such as putrescine and cadaverine have been found. The sources of the flowers' unique scent are not fully identified, partly due to the extremely low concentration of the compounds (5 to 10 parts per billion). Their overpowering floral odors are sometimes described as making it difficult to walk into a greenhouse in which they in bloom. Bulbophyllum beccarii, Bulbophyllum fletcherianum and Bulbophyllum phalaenopsis in bloom have been likened to smelling like a herd of dead elephants. Most are fly-pollinated, and attract hordes of flies. The flowers produce various odors resembling sap, urine, blood, dung, carrion, and, in some species, fragrant fruity aromas. Orchids of the genus Bulbophyllum produce strongly scented flowers. These plants are sometimes placed in the genus Nemexia. The most familiar member of this groups is Smilax herbacea. These plants have a cluster of small greenish flowers. In North America, the herbaceous vines of the genus Smilax are known as carrion flowers. The flowers in some species can be very large, notably Stapelia gigantea can reach 30 cm (12 in) in diameter. This attracts scavenging flies, for pollination. The color of the flowers also mimics rotting meat. The flowers of all species are hairy to varying degrees and generate the odor of rotten flesh. Most species are native to South Africa, and are grown as potted plants elsewhere. They are small, spineless, cactus-like succulent plants. Plants in the genus Stapelia are also called "carrion flowers". House fly landing on a flower of Orbea variegata. It was first described scientifically in 1878 in Sumatra. This plant has a mechanism to heat up the spadix enhancing the emission of the strong odor of decaying meat to attract its pollinators, carrion-eating beetles and "flesh flies" (family Sarcophagidae). Rather than a single flower, the titan arum presents an inflorescence or compound flower composed of a spadix or stalk of small and anatomically reduced male and female flowers, surrounded by a spathe that resembles a single giant petal. One such plant is the Titan arum ( Amorphophallus titanum), which has the world's largest unbranched inflorescence. Many plants in the genus Amorphophallus (family Araceae) are known as carrion flowers. Plants known as "carrion flower" Amorphophallus Some species may trap the insects temporarily to ensure the gathering and transfer of pollen. ![]() Carrion flowers attract mostly scavenging flies and beetles as pollinators. These include their specific coloration (red, purple, brown), the presence of setae and orifice-like flower architecture. ![]() Apart from the scent, carrion flowers often display additional characteristics that contribute to the mimesis of a decaying corpse. Amorphophallus titanum in Wilhelma Botanical and Zoological Gardens, StuttgartĬarrion flowers, also known as corpse flowers or stinking flowers, are mimetic flowers that emit an odor that smells like rotting flesh.
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