Amorphophallus titanum

A monster in the plant world, up to 10 feet tall and smelling of death

Category Extraordinary Flora

Image of Amorphophallus titanum located in Asia
Image of Amorphophallus titanum located in Asia Image of Amorphophallus titanum located in Asia Image of Amorphophallus titanum located in Asia
Extraordinary Flora http://atlasobscura.com/category/natural-wonders/extraordinary-flora

Translated literally, Amorphophallus titanum means "giant misshapen penis." And while the genus Rafflesia may include the world's largest flower, this titan lays claim to the largest unbranched cluster of flowers in the world. At full size, the titan can reach over 10 feet in circumference and stand 9 and a half feet tall.

Known commonly as a "corpse flower" or "carrion flower", the titan releases a scent that smells almost exactly like a corpse, and also gives off a fair amount of heat, which helps to strengthen the decaying-carrion illusion, both of which help the plant attract insect pollenators. The Amorphophallus shares the "corpse flower" title with another stinky bloom from Indonesia, the Rafflesia.

Although the flower is naturally found only in Indonesia, since 1889 they have been successfully cultivated in botanical gardens around the world including Kew Gardens in London.

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Users who have been to this place: sucsays

  • Address Jungles of Sumatra, Indonesia
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  • & Anonymous July 12, 2009
    fix the map
  • & Anonymous June 22, 2009
    According to the map, the jungles of Sumatra are now located off the southern coast of West Africa.
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