Titan Arum
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The titan arum (''Amorphophallus titanum'') is a
flowering plant Flowering plants are plants that bear flowers and fruits, and form the clade Angiospermae (). The term angiosperm is derived from the Ancient Greek, Greek words (; 'container, vessel') and (; 'seed'), meaning that the seeds are enclosed with ...
in the family
Araceae The Araceae are a family of monocotyledonous flowering plants in which flowers are borne on a type of inflorescence called a spadix. The spadix is usually accompanied by, and sometimes partially enclosed in, a spathe (or leaf-like bract). Also ...
. It has a large unbranched
inflorescence In botany, an inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a plant's Plant stem, stem that is composed of a main branch or a system of branches. An inflorescence is categorized on the basis of the arrangement of flowers on a mai ...
; a tall single leaf, branched like a tree; and a heavy tuber which enables the plant to produce the inflorescence. ''A. titanum'' is
endemic Endemism is the state of a species being found only in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also foun ...
to
rainforest Rainforests are forests characterized by a closed and continuous tree Canopy (biology), canopy, moisture-dependent vegetation, the presence of epiphytes and lianas and the absence of wildfire. Rainforests can be generally classified as tropi ...
s on the
Indonesia Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia, is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania, between the Indian Ocean, Indian and Pacific Ocean, Pacific oceans. Comprising over List of islands of Indonesia, 17,000 islands, including Sumatra, ...
n island of
Sumatra Sumatra () is one of the Sunda Islands of western Indonesia. It is the largest island that is fully within Indonesian territory, as well as the list of islands by area, sixth-largest island in the world at 482,286.55 km2 (182,812 mi. ...
. Its flower blooms infrequently and only for a short period, and gives off a powerful scent of rotting flesh which attracts pollinators. As a consequence, it is characterized as a
carrion flower Carrion flowers, also known as corpse flowers or stinking flowers, are Mimesis (biology), mimetic flowers that emit an odor that smells like decomposition, rotting flesh. Apart from the scent, carrion flowers often display additional characterist ...
, earning it the names corpse flower or corpse plant. The titan arum was first brought to flower in cultivation at the
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is a non-departmental public body in the United Kingdom sponsored by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. An internationally important botanical research and education institution, it employs 1,10 ...
in 1889. Since then it has flowered at many botanic gardens. It remains difficult for amateurs to cultivate, but one flowered at a high school in California in 2011. Flowerings can attract crowds of thousands of visitors, and in the 21st century also thousands on Internet
live streaming Livestreaming, live-streaming, or live streaming is the streaming media, streaming of video or Digital audio, audio in real-time communication, real time or near real time. While often referred to simply as ''streaming'', the real-time nature ...
.


Etymology

''A. titanum'' derives its name from
Ancient Greek Ancient Greek (, ; ) includes the forms of the Greek language used in ancient Greece and the classical antiquity, ancient world from around 1500 BC to 300 BC. It is often roughly divided into the following periods: Mycenaean Greek (), Greek ...
( , "without form, misshapen" + , " phallus", and ''
Titan Titan most often refers to: * Titan (moon), the largest moon of Saturn * Titans, a race of deities in Greek mythology Titan or Titans may also refer to: Arts and entertainment Fictional entities Fictional locations * Titan in fiction, fictiona ...
'', "titan, giant"). The common name corpse flower is translated from the Indonesian name ''bunga bangkai'' with the same meaning.


Life-cycle


Leaf

A single leaf, the size and shape of a small tree, grows from the seed. The leaf grows on a patterned green and white petiole or stalk that branches into three sections at the top, each containing many leaflets. The leaf can reach up to tall. The trunklike petiole bearing the leaf can be "as thick as a person's thigh". Food in the form of
sugar Sugar is the generic name for sweet-tasting, soluble carbohydrates, many of which are used in food. Simple sugars, also called monosaccharides, include glucose Glucose is a sugar with the Chemical formula#Molecular formula, molecul ...
s from the leaf accumulate (as
starch Starch or amylum is a polymeric carbohydrate consisting of numerous glucose units joined by glycosidic bonds. This polysaccharide is produced by most green plants for energy storage. Worldwide, it is the most common carbohydrate in human diet ...
) in an underground
tuber Tubers are a type of enlarged structure that plants use as storage organs for nutrients, derived from stems or roots. Tubers help plants perennate (survive winter or dry months), provide energy and nutrients, and are a means of asexual reproduc ...
or corm. After a period of about a year, the old leaf dies, and a new one grows in its place from the tuber.


Tuber

When a leaf dies, the tuber becomes dormant for about four months. Then the plant produces another leaf, and repeats the cycle of supplying food to the tuber. This may continue for up to around seven years. The
tuber Tubers are a type of enlarged structure that plants use as storage organs for nutrients, derived from stems or roots. Tubers help plants perennate (survive winter or dry months), provide energy and nutrients, and are a means of asexual reproduc ...
is the largest of any known flowering plant; it may weigh more than .


Inflorescence

After some years, when the tuber is sufficiently large, the plant develops an
inflorescence In botany, an inflorescence is a group or cluster of flowers arranged on a plant's Plant stem, stem that is composed of a main branch or a system of branches. An inflorescence is categorized on the basis of the arrangement of flowers on a mai ...
instead of a leaf. This can take ten years from seed; subsequent flowerings can be more frequent, typically at intervals of three to seven years. The inflorescence can reach over in height.Barthlott, W. & W. Lobin (Eds.) (1998): Amorphophallus titanum. – A Monograph, 226 pp, F. Steiner Verlag, Stuttgart (= Trop. subtrop. Pflanzenwelt Vol, 99, Acad. Science. Mainz). Download: (19,2 MB)
/ref>Barthlott, W., Szarzynski, J., Vlek, P., Lobin, W., & N. Korotkova (2009): A torch in the rainforest: thermogenesis of the Titan arum (Amorphophallus titanum). Plant Biol. 11 (4): 499–505 The inflorescence consists of a tall fragrant spadix of flowers wrapped by a spathe, shaped like an upside-down bell, resembling a petal. The spathe is deep green with cream-coloured specks on the outside, and dark burgundy red or maroon on the inside. Its sides are ribbed, creating a frilled edge. Near the bottom of the spadix, hidden from view inside the sheath of the spathe, the spadix bears two rings of small flowers. The upper ring bears between 450 and 5,000 small cream-coloured male flowers; the lower ring consists of the pink
carpel Gynoecium (; ; : gynoecia) is most commonly used as a collective term for the parts of a flower that produce ovules and ultimately develop into the fruit and seeds. The gynoecium is the innermost whorl of a flower; it consists of (one or more ...
s of female flowers. Shortly before flowering, the two leaflike
bract In botany, a bract is a modified or specialized leaf, associated with a reproductive structure such as a flower, inflorescence axis or cone scale. Bracts are usually different from foliage leaves in size, color, shape or texture. They also lo ...
s at the base of the spathe dry up and die. The female flowers open before the male flowers to prevent
self-pollination Self-pollination is a form of pollination in which pollen arrives at the stigma of a flower (in flowering plants) or at the ovule (in gymnosperms) of the same plant. The term cross-pollination is used for the opposite case, where pollen from ...
. The flowers last for 24 to 36 hours.


Pollination by carrion insects

As the spathe gradually opens, the spadix heats up to , and rhythmically releases a powerful odor to attract carrion insects which feed on or lay their eggs in rotting meat. The potency of the odor gradually increases from late evening until the middle of the night, when carrion beetles and flesh flies are active as pollinators, then tapers off towards morning. Analyses of chemicals released by the spadix show the stench includes dimethyl trisulfide (like limburger cheese),
dimethyl disulfide Dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) is an organic chemical compound with the molecular formula . It is a flammable liquid with an unpleasant, garlic-like odor resembling that of "leaking gas". The compound is colorless, although impure samples often appea ...
(garlic),
trimethylamine Trimethylamine (TMA) is an organic compound with the formula N(CH3)3. It is a trimethylated derivative of ammonia. TMA is widely used in industry. At higher concentrations it has an ammonia-like odor, and can cause necrosis of mucous membranes ...
(rotting fish), isovaleric acid ( sweaty socks),
benzyl alcohol Benzyl alcohol (also known as α-cresol) is an aromatic alcohol with the formula C6H5CH2OH. The benzyl group is often abbreviated "Bn" (not to be confused with "Bz" which is used for benzoyl), thus benzyl alcohol is denoted as BnOH. Benzyl a ...
(sweet floral scent),
phenol Phenol (also known as carbolic acid, phenolic acid, or benzenol) is an aromatic organic compound with the molecular formula . It is a white crystalline solid that is volatile and can catch fire. The molecule consists of a phenyl group () ...
(like Chloraseptic), and indole (like feces). The odor is detectable up to a half mile (0.8 km) away. The inflorescence's deep red color and texture contribute to the illusion that the spathe is a piece of meat. During bloom, the tip of the spadix is roughly human body temperature, which helps the perfume volatilize. The heated spadix creates a micro-convection in the cool ambient air, enhancing the transport of the scent. The heat helps to convince carrion-feeding insects that a dead body is present, attracting them to the inflorescence.


Fruits and seeds

The carpels of pollinated female flowers ripen into fruits. The spathe and the upper part of the spadix wither away, leaving a short spike bearing a column of bright red fruits. These attract rhinoceros hornbills which eat the fruits and disperse the seeds around the rainforest. The spike dies back after around nine months, and the tuber becomes dormant for about a year. It can then produce a new leaf and restart the cycle.


Taxonomy and distribution

''Amorphophallus titanum'' was first scientifically described in 1878 by the Italian
botanist Botany, also called plant science, is the branch of natural science and biology studying plants, especially Plant anatomy, their anatomy, Plant taxonomy, taxonomy, and Plant ecology, ecology. A botanist or plant scientist is a scientist who s ...
Odoardo Beccari Odoardo Beccari (16 November 1843 – 25 October 1920) was an Italian botanist famous for his discoveries in Indonesia, New Guinea, and Australia. He has been called the greatest botanist to ever study Malesia. Life Youth and education (18 ...
. Beccari discovered the plant on 6 August 1878 in the
rainforest Rainforests are forests characterized by a closed and continuous tree Canopy (biology), canopy, moisture-dependent vegetation, the presence of epiphytes and lianas and the absence of wildfire. Rainforests can be generally classified as tropi ...
in the hills above Priaman, Western
Sumatra Sumatra () is one of the Sunda Islands of western Indonesia. It is the largest island that is fully within Indonesian territory, as well as the list of islands by area, sixth-largest island in the world at 482,286.55 km2 (182,812 mi. ...
, and brought a dried inflorescence, tubers, and seeds back to Europe. The first leaf specimen was collected at Air Mancur, to the west of Padang Panjang. Beccari initially named the species ''Conophallus titanum'' in 1878, in a letter that was published anonymously on his behalf under the title "Il Conophallus titanum—Beccari". In 1879,
Giovanni Arcangeli Giovanni Arcangeli (18 July 1840 – 16 July 1921) was an Italian botanist from Florence. In 1862 he earned his degree in natural sciences from the University of Pisa, where he later became an instructor and professor. In 1880 he was a professo ...
published a full description of the species and moved it into the genus '' Amorphophallus''. Plants in the genus all have a single
locule A locule (: locules) or loculus (; : loculi) is a small cavity or compartment within an organ or part of an organism (animal, plant, or fungus). In angiosperms (flowering plants), the term ''locule'' usually refers to a chamber within an ovary ...
inside the ovary, and are found across tropical Africa, India, Southeast Asia, Japan, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Australia. The species is
endemic Endemism is the state of a species being found only in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also foun ...
to western Sumatra, where it grows in openings in rainforests on limestone hills. Its range is decreasing with climate change and loss of habitat. There are population hotspots in southern Aceh and Sumatera Utara provinces.


Cultivation

The titan arum first flowered in cultivation at the
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is a non-departmental public body in the United Kingdom sponsored by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. An internationally important botanical research and education institution, it employs 1,10 ...
, London, in 1889, grown from the single seedling that Kew received from Beccari. The first documented flowerings in the United States were at the New York Botanical Garden in 1937 and 1939. These flowerings can attract crowds of thousands of visitors, and in the 21st century also thousands on Internet
live streaming Livestreaming, live-streaming, or live streaming is the streaming media, streaming of video or Digital audio, audio in real-time communication, real time or near real time. While often referred to simply as ''streaming'', the real-time nature ...
, and inspired the designation of the titan arum as the official flower of the
Bronx The Bronx ( ) is the northernmost of the five Boroughs of New York City, boroughs of New York City, coextensive with Bronx County, in the U.S. state of New York (state), New York. It shares a land border with Westchester County, New York, West ...
in 1939 (replaced in 2000 by the day lily). In the Botanical Gardens of Bonn, the titan arum has been cultivated since 1932. The number of cultivated plants has increased because the cultivation requirements for garden specimens are known in detail, and it has become common in the 21st century for five or more flowerings to occur in gardens around the world in a single year.Lobin, W., Neumann, M., Radscheit, M. & W. Barthlott (2007): The cultivation of Titan Arum (Amorphophallus titanum) – A flagship species for Botanic Gardens, Sibbaldia 5: 69-86
/ref> Challenging cultivation constraints mean that the plant is rarely cultivated by amateur gardeners, but in 2011, Roseville High School in
California California () is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States that lies on the West Coast of the United States, Pacific Coast. It borders Oregon to the north, Nevada and Arizona to the east, and shares Mexico–United States border, an ...
became the first school in the world to bring a titan arum to bloom. The largest tuber so far recorded was grown at the
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) is a scientific centre for the study of plants, their diversity and conservation, as well as a popular tourist attraction. Founded in 1670 as a physic garden to grow medicinal plants, today it occupies ...
in 2010; it weighed after seven years' growth from an initial tuber the size of an orange. The tallest documented inflorescence was at Meise Botanic Garden; on 13 August 2024 it reached in height. In cultivation, the titan arum generally requires five to ten years of vegetative growth before blooming for the first time. After a plant's initial blooming, there can be considerable variation in its blooming frequency. The cultivation conditions are known in detail. Some plants may not bloom again for another seven to ten years, while others may bloom every two or three years. At the botanical gardens in Bonn, under optimal cultivation conditions, the plants flowered every other year. A plant has flowered every second year (2012 to 2022) in the Copenhagen Botanical Garden. Anomalous flowerings have been documented, including consecutive blooms within a year, and a tuber simultaneously sending up both a leaf (or two) and an inflorescence. Triplet inflorescences have been recorded from Bonn, Germany (from a tuber), and at the Chicago Botanic Garden in May 2020. Titan arums have bloomed at three of Indonesia's botanical gardens:
Bogor Bogor City (), or Bogor (, ), is a landlocked city in the West Java, Indonesia. Located around south of the national capital of Jakarta, Bogor is the 6th largest city in the Jakarta metropolitan area and the 14th overall nationwide.
, Cibodas, and Purwodadi. Self-pollination was once considered impossible but, in 1992, botanists in Bonn successfully hand-pollinated their plant with its own pollen, using ground-up male flowers, resulting in fruiting and hundreds of seeds from which numerous seedlings were produced and distributed. A titan arum at Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota produced viable seed through self-pollination in 2011.Gustavus Adolphus College Self-pollination 2011. Retrieved 2013-08-11
/ref>


See also

* Largest organisms


References


Bibliography


Barthlott, W. & W. Lobin (Eds.) (1998): Amorphophallus titanum – A Monograph. 226 pp, F. Steiner Verlag, Stuttgart (''= Trop. subtrop. Pflanzenwelt 99, Akad. Science. Mainz).''Download (19,2 MB)
* Barthlott, W., Szarzynski, J., Vlek, P., Lobin, W., & N. Korotkova (2009): A torch in the rainforest: thermogenesis of the Titan arum (Amorphophallus titanum). Plant Biol. 11 (4): 499–505 * Bown, Deni (2000). ''Aroids: Plants of the Arum Family''. Timber Press. * Korotkova, N. & W. Barthlott (2009): On the thermogenesis of the Titan arum (Amorphophallus titanum). Plant Signaling & Behavior 4 (11): 1096–1098 * Lobin, W., Neumann, M., Radscheit, M. & W. Barthlott (2007): The cultivation of Titan Arum (Amorphophallus titanum) – A flagship species for Botanic Gardens, Sibbaldia 5: 69–86 * Association of Education and Research Greenhouse Newsletter, volume 15 number 1.


External links


Three Webcams of Titan plus time-lapse videos
at Gustavus Adolphus College in Saint Peter, Minnesota
3D Photo of 2004 bloom at Walt Disney World
(Requires red/cyan 3D Glasses)


How to grow a Titan Arum


* ttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lk8kEMaRN3g Amorphophallus titanum
YouTube YouTube is an American social media and online video sharing platform owned by Google. YouTube was founded on February 14, 2005, by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim who were three former employees of PayPal. Headquartered in ...
video {{Taxonbar, from=Q431224 titanum Endemic flora of Sumatra National symbols of Indonesia Taxa named by Odoardo Beccari Thermogenic plants Plants described in 1879