Helicodiceros muscivorus
| Dead horse arum lily | ||||||||||||||
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| Helicodiceros muscivorus Engl. |
Helicodiceros muscivorus (Dead horse arum lily; syn. Helicodiceros crinitus , Dracunculus crinitus ) is an ornamental plant native to the northwestern Mediterranean region. It reproduces the stench of rotting meat, attracting carrion-seeking blowflies which act as pollinators.
One of a rare group of thermogenic plants, the Dead Horse Arum can raise its temperature by thermogenesis. This helps to lure flies into the plant to contact its pollen.
Inflorescence close-up
References
- ^ H. muscivorus at International Plant Names Index
- ^ D. crinitus at Lemaire, Charles. Flore des serres et des jardins de l’Europe (1849)
- ^ Angjoy, A.M. et al. “Function of the heater: the dead horse arum revisited”, Proceedings. Biological sciences / The Royal Society, February 7, 2004.