http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amorphophallus_titanum
The titan arum or
Amorphophallus titanum (from
Ancient Greek
amorphos, "without form, misshapen" + phallos, "phallus",
and
titan, "giant") ...
Due to its
odor, which is reminiscent of the smell of a decomposing
mammal,[1]
the titan arum is also known as a
carrion flower,
the "Corpse flower", or "Corpse plant" (Indonesian:
bunga bangkai – bunga
means flower, while bangkai means corpse or cadaver; for the same
reason, the same title is also attributed to
Rafflesia which,
like the titan arum, also grows in the
rainforests of Sumatra).
Amorphophallus titanum is
endemic
to western Sumatra, where
it grows in openings in rainforests on limestone hills.[2]
The plant is cultivated by
botanic gardens and private collectors around the world.
The "fragrance" of the inflorescence
resembles rotting meat, attracting
carrion-eating
beetles and
Flesh Flies (family
Sarcophagidae) that
pollinate it. The flower'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 approximately human body temperature, which helps the perfume
volatilize; this heat is also believed to assist in the illusion that
attracts carcass-eating insects.
Read the whole article at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amorphophallus_titanum
Also see Farting Flower
