Carrion flowers, also known as corpse flowers or stinking flowers, are mimetic flowers that emit an odor that smells like rotting flesh. Apart from the scent, carrion flowers often display additional characteristics that contribute to the mimesis of a decaying corpse. These include their specific coloration (red, purple, brown), the presence of setae and orifice-like flower architecture. Carrion flowers attract mostly scavenging flies and beetles as pollinators. Some species may trap the insects temporarily to ensure the gathering and transfer of pollen.
Many plants in the genus Amorphophallus (family Araceae) are known as carrion flowers. One such plant is the Titan arum (Amorphophallus titanum), which has the world's largest unbranched inflorescence. 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. 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). It was first described scientifically in 1878 in Sumatra.[1]
Flowers of plants in the genus Rafflesia (family Rafflesiaceae) emit an odor similar to that of decaying meat. This odor attracts the flies that pollinate the plant. The world's largest single bloom is R. arnoldii. This rare flower is found in the rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra. It can grow to be 90 centimetres (3 ft) across and weigh up to 7 kilograms (15 lb). R. arnoldii is a parasiticplant on Tetrastigma vine, which grows only in primary rainforests. It has no visible leaves, roots, or stem. It does not photosynthesize, but rather uses the host plant to obtain water and nutrients.
Plants in the genus Stapelia are also called "carrion flowers". They are small, spineless, cactus-like succulent plants. Most species are native to South Africa, and are grown as potted plants elsewhere. The flowers of all species are hairy to varying degrees and generate the odor of rotten flesh. The color of the flowers also mimics rotting meat. This attracts scavenging flies, for pollination. The flowers in some species can be very large, notably Stapelia gigantea can reach 30 cm (12 in) in diameter.
Smilax or Nemexia
In North America, the herbaceous vines of the genusSmilax are known as carrion flowers. These plants have a cluster of small greenish flowers. The most familiar member of this groups is Smilax herbacea. These plants are sometimes placed in the genus Nemexia.
Bulbophyllum (Orchid)
Orchids of the genus Bulbophyllum produce strongly scented flowers. The flowers produce various odors resembling sap, urine, blood, dung, carrion, and, in some species, fragrant fruity aromas. Most are fly-pollinated, and attract hordes of flies. Bulbophyllum beccarii, Bulbophyllum fletcherianum and Bulbophyllum phalaenopsis in bloom have been likened to smelling like a herd of dead elephants. Their overpowering floral odors are sometimes described as making it difficult to walk into a greenhouse in which they in bloom.[2]
Scent
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). 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.[3] Methyl thiolacetate (which has a cheesy, garlic-like odor) and isovaleric acid (smells of sweat) also contribute to the smell of the flower. Trimethylamine is the cause of the "rotten fish smell" towards the end of the flower's life. [4]
Pollination
Both visual interactions and odor are important attractants for pollinators.[5] In order for pollination to occur, a relationship of attraction and reward must be present between the flower and the pollinator. The pollinator's body mechanically promotes pollen adherence, which is necessary for effective pollen dispersal. The recognizable scent of the carrion flowers is produced in the petals of both male and female flowers and the pollen reward attracts beetles and flies. [6] Popular pollinators of carrion flowers are blowflies (Calliphoridae), house flies (Muscidae), flesh flies (Sarcophagidae) and varying types of beetles, due to the scents produced by the plant.[7] Fly pollinators are typically attracted to pale, dull plants or those with translucent patches. Additionally, these plants produce pollen, do not have present nectar guides and flowers resemble a funnel or complex trap.[8] The host plant can sometimes trap the pollinator during the pollination/feeding process.
^ Wilson, Elizabeth K. (2003-06-30). "A Fantastic Stink". Chemical & Engineering News. 81 (26): 27. doi:10.1021/cen-v081n005.p027. ISSN 0009-2347. Retrieved 2007-04-29.
^"The Smelly Chemistry of the Titan Arum 'Corpse Flower'". Compound Interest. 2017-06-27. Retrieved 2022-05-03.
^du Plessis, Marc; Johnson, Steven D.; Nicolson, Susan W.; Bruyns, Peter V.; Shuttleworth, Adam (2018-03-01). "Pollination of the "carrion flowers" of an African stapeliad (Ceropegia mixta: Apocynaceae): the importance of visual and scent traits for the attraction of flies". Plant Systematics and Evolution. 304 (3): 357–372. doi:10.1007/s00606-017-1481-0. ISSN 2199-6881. S2CID 3529359.
^Sawyer, Neil W.; Anderson, Gregory J. (1998). "Reproductive Biology of the Carrion-Flower, Smilax Herbacea (Smilacaceae)". Rhodora. 100 (901): 1–24. ISSN 0035-4902. JSTOR 23313266.
^Johnson, Steven (July 11, 2016). "Quick Guide: Carrion Flowers" (PDF). Current Biology. 26 (13): 543–576. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2015.07.047. PMID 27404246. S2CID 3924473.
^Jürgens, Andreas; Shuttleworth, Adam (2015-08-06). Carrion Ecology, Evolution, and Their Applications. CRC Press. pp. 361–386. doi:10.1201/b18819-20. ISBN9781466575462.
March 26, 2023
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Carrion Flowers redirects here For the song by Chelsea Wolfe see Abyss Chelsea Wolfe album Carrion flowers also known as corpse flowers or stinking flowers are mimetic flowers that emit an odor that smells like rotting flesh Apart from the scent carrion flowers often display additional characteristics that contribute to the mimesis of a decaying corpse These include their specific coloration red purple brown the presence of setae and orifice like flower architecture Carrion flowers attract mostly scavenging flies and beetles as pollinators Some species may trap the insects temporarily to ensure the gathering and transfer of pollen Amorphophallus titanum in Wilhelma Botanical and Zoological Gardens Stuttgart Contents 1 Plants known as carrion flower 1 1 Amorphophallus 1 2 Rafflesia 1 3 Stapelia 1 4 Smilax or Nemexia 1 5 Bulbophyllum Orchid 2 Scent 3 Pollination 4 Other plants with carrion scented flowers 5 See also 6 References 7 External linksPlants known as carrion flower EditAmorphophallus Edit Many plants in the genus Amorphophallus family Araceae are known as carrion flowers One such plant is the Titan arum Amorphophallus titanum which has the world s largest unbranched inflorescence 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 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 It was first described scientifically in 1878 in Sumatra 1 Flower of Rafflesia kerrii in Khao Sok National Park Southern Thailand Rafflesia Edit Flowers of plants in the genus Rafflesia family Rafflesiaceae emit an odor similar to that of decaying meat This odor attracts the flies that pollinate the plant The world s largest single bloom is R arnoldii This rare flower is found in the rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra It can grow to be 90 centimetres 3 ft across and weigh up to 7 kilograms 15 lb R arnoldii is a parasitic plant on Tetrastigma vine which grows only in primary rainforests It has no visible leaves roots or stem It does not photosynthesize but rather uses the host plant to obtain water and nutrients House fly landing on a flower of Orbea variegata Stapelia Edit Plants in the genus Stapelia are also called carrion flowers They are small spineless cactus like succulent plants Most species are native to South Africa and are grown as potted plants elsewhere The flowers of all species are hairy to varying degrees and generate the odor of rotten flesh The color of the flowers also mimics rotting meat This attracts scavenging flies for pollination The flowers in some species can be very large notably Stapelia gigantea can reach 30 cm 12 in in diameter Smilax or Nemexia Edit In North America the herbaceous vines of the genus Smilax are known as carrion flowers These plants have a cluster of small greenish flowers The most familiar member of this groups is Smilax herbacea These plants are sometimes placed in the genus Nemexia Bulbophyllum Orchid Edit Orchids of the genus Bulbophyllum produce strongly scented flowers The flowers produce various odors resembling sap urine blood dung carrion and in some species fragrant fruity aromas Most are fly pollinated and attract hordes of flies Bulbophyllum beccarii Bulbophyllum fletcherianum and Bulbophyllum phalaenopsis in bloom have been likened to smelling like a herd of dead elephants Their overpowering floral odors are sometimes described as making it difficult to walk into a greenhouse in which they in bloom 2 Scent EditThe 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 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 3 Methyl thiolacetate which has a cheesy garlic like odor and isovaleric acid smells of sweat also contribute to the smell of the flower Trimethylamine is the cause of the rotten fish smell towards the end of the flower s life 4 Pollination EditBoth visual interactions and odor are important attractants for pollinators 5 In order for pollination to occur a relationship of attraction and reward must be present between the flower and the pollinator The pollinator s body mechanically promotes pollen adherence which is necessary for effective pollen dispersal The recognizable scent of the carrion flowers is produced in the petals of both male and female flowers and the pollen reward attracts beetles and flies 6 Popular pollinators of carrion flowers are blowflies Calliphoridae house flies Muscidae flesh flies Sarcophagidae and varying types of beetles due to the scents produced by the plant 7 Fly pollinators are typically attracted to pale dull plants or those with translucent patches Additionally these plants produce pollen do not have present nectar guides and flowers resemble a funnel or complex trap 8 The host plant can sometimes trap the pollinator during the pollination feeding process Other plants with carrion scented flowers EditAnnonaceae Asimina commonly referred to as pawpaw Sapranthus palangaApocynaceae subtribe Stapeliinae Boucerosia frerei Caralluma Duvalia Echidnopsis Edithcolea grandis Hoodia Huernia Orbea Piaranthus PseudolithosAraceae Arum dioscoridis A maculatum Dracunculus vulgaris Helicodiceros muscivorus Lysichiton americanum Symplocarpus foetidusAristolochiaceae Aristolochia californica A grandiflora A microstoma A salvadorensis A littoralis HydnoraAsparagaceae Eucomis bicolorBalanophoraceae Sarcophyte sanguinea subsp sanguineaBignoniaceae Crescentia alataBurmanniaceae Tiputinia foetidaCytinaceae BdallophytumIridaceae Moraea lurida Ferraria crispaMalvaceae Sterculia foetidaMelanthiaceae Trillium erectum T foetidissimum T sessile T stamineumOrchidaceae Satyrium pumilum Masdevallia elephanticeps M angulata M colossus M piceaSee also EditStinkhorn fungi that use the same basic principle for spore dispersal Aseroe rubra fungi that use the same basic principle for spore dispersalReferences Edit Live Science Illustrated Encyclopedia of Orchids ISBN 0 88192 267 6 Wilson Elizabeth K 2003 06 30 A Fantastic Stink Chemical amp Engineering News 81 26 27 doi 10 1021 cen v081n005 p027 ISSN 0009 2347 Retrieved 2007 04 29 The Smelly Chemistry of the Titan Arum Corpse Flower Compound Interest 2017 06 27 Retrieved 2022 05 03 du Plessis Marc Johnson Steven D Nicolson Susan W Bruyns Peter V Shuttleworth Adam 2018 03 01 Pollination of the carrion flowers of an African stapeliad Ceropegia mixta Apocynaceae the importance of visual and scent traits for the attraction of flies Plant Systematics and Evolution 304 3 357 372 doi 10 1007 s00606 017 1481 0 ISSN 2199 6881 S2CID 3529359 Sawyer Neil W Anderson Gregory J 1998 Reproductive Biology of the Carrion Flower Smilax Herbacea Smilacaceae Rhodora 100 901 1 24 ISSN 0035 4902 JSTOR 23313266 Johnson Steven July 11 2016 Quick Guide Carrion Flowers PDF Current Biology 26 13 543 576 doi 10 1016 j cub 2015 07 047 PMID 27404246 S2CID 3924473 Fly Pollination www fs fed us Retrieved 2022 05 05 External links EditAll about stinking flowers Carrion and Dung Mimicry in Plants 1 Jurgens Andreas Shuttleworth Adam 2015 08 06 Carrion Ecology Evolution and Their Applications CRC Press pp 361 386 doi 10 1201 b18819 20 ISBN 9781466575462 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Carrion flower amp oldid 1146083530, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
