If you head to the third floor of the greenhouse in the Nobel Hall of Science you will find Perry the Corpse Flower. Depending on when you are visiting, Perry could look like a pot with dirt in it, a tall green shoot that resembles a tree or a blooming flower. That's how unique Perry the Corpse Flower is and Gustavus is lucky and privileged to own one.
Back in 1993, Chemistry Professor Brian O'Brien received a corpse flower seed which he named Perry. Professor O'Brien along with dozens of students, meticulously cultivated Perry over years 14 years until it bloomed into a maroon and dark-purple flower in 2007. Perry's first bloom attracted more than 7,000 visitors to see the rare event. Perry was in full bloom again a week ago, June 2-3rd. Check out the timelapse video of the amazing bloom below:
So what exactly is a Corpse Flower and why is it so rare? The Corpse Flower is a 7-foot tall tropical plant that can be found in the rainforests of Sumatra, Indonesia growing naturally. It is the largest unbranched inflorescence in the world, with the name coming from the repulsive scent it emits during the hours after it blooms. It is rare for a corpse flower to bloom, with only 122 plants known to in the entire world, and Perry has bloomed every three years consistently since it's initial bloom in 2007.
Here are some other interesting facts about Perry the Corpse Flower:
Why does the flower not look like a normal flower?
There are no petals on the Corpse Flower. Petals are typically important for flowers to attract pollinators. Instead of petals, the Corpse Flower uses it's odor, which resembles that of rotting flesh, to attack flies and carrion beetles who pollinate the flower.
What causes the odor? How does it spread?
The major components detected in the odor are the sulfur-containing compounds dimethyl disulfide and dimethyl trisulfide. The plan actually uses energy reserves to warm itself to temperatures comparable to human body temperature. The warmth allows the compounds in the odor to volatize more easily. Aka: the warmer the corpse flower gets the smellier it gets.
How does this inflorescence pollinated?
The female flowers are on the bottom of the spadix and open first, the male flowers are then on top and open after the female flowers. Because the male and female flowers open at different times they do not pollinate themselves. So, when the flies and beetles are attracted to the bloomed corpse flower, they make their way down to the bottom of the flower and then crawl upward (think of a fly trapped inside a window). As they crawl to the top of the flower they pick up pollen from the female flowers and cross fertilize it with the male flowers.
Who spread the seeds?
The seeds are quite large, usually around marble sized and are spread by Hornbills, tropical birds. The Hornbill will eat the seeds and then spread the inner seeds through the excretion.
How long does a Corpse Flower bloom for?
Usually the corpse flower only blooms for 48 hours. It takes a lot of energy to hear up the flower, which is needed to release the aroma and attract the pollinators, hence the short bloom.
What is the lifespan of the Corpse Flower?
About 40 years!
How many species of Corpse Flowers are there?
More than 170, all typically found in the tropics. Some of these have odors that are much more pleasant such as: carrots, anise, chocolate, banana, fruity, or lemon-like.
Where else has this plant been grown and flowered?
When Perry bloomed in 2007, it was the first flowering corpse in Minnesota. Currently, University of Connecticut and University of California-Davis has plants that are approximately the same stage as Perry. Before 2007, the most recent flowering event was at Kew, the world-renowned botanical garden in London.
What good is the flower?
Species such as the Corpse Flower are used for food and medicine worldwide. The corn (root system) and leaf stalks are boiled and eaten. The corms have also been used to treat stomach ailments, fever, swelling, and diarrhea. The flower is toxic if not prepared properly!
More question? You can learn more at: https://gustavus.edu/biology/titanarum/
No comments:
Post a Comment