Why does the `Titan arum` (corpse flower) smell so bad ?

The corpse flower is one plant that have the worst smell .

This species is native to the rain forests of Sumatra ( Indonesia) , and in addition to its extraordinary size , has another feature that makes it unique : gives off a foul smell of rotting flesh , which prevents be near her for long. For this reason it has been called " corpse flower " . The function of this unpleasant smell is to attract pollinating insects to take charge of the exchange of pollen necessary for reproduction ; attracts flies looking corpses which lay their eggs , the larvae will then saprophagous . It is an herb that can exceed 3 m in height. It has a surface tuber, which flows a single stem up to 1 m long, which in turn presents a single leaf and flower stalk . Its flowering is an event, it only makes three or four times in the forty years that usually live plant . Once the inflorescence begins to appear , growing at a rate of 10 cm a day to an average of 2.50 m in height, about 1 m in diameter and weighing 75 kg . After this, the flower only live for 3 days.

The main factor is the heat . The energy obtained by photosynthesis is not used to make food but to release heat in a process called mitochondrial uncoupling . This additional heat ( haseta reaching 37.8 ° C) is released by the tip of the plant (which reaches up to 2.7 m high). then producing the so-called chimney effect : thus heat causes more volatile aromatic compounds and may further spread around.

The compounds that cause this putrid smell are molecules containing sulfur , such as putrescine and cadaverine calls , along with compounds such as trimethylamine , which is the same substance that gives its fresh fish smell soon No one knows exactly what chemical elements are responsible for the smell rotten corpse flower .

 

By : Paula Pintado Martínez