Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Corpse flower
Why in the News?
The study of Corpse Flower’s (Amorphophallus titanum) heat generation and odor emission has revealed how it attracts pollinators through unique adaptations for reproduction.
About the Corpse Flower (Titan Arum):
| Details | |
| Scientific Name | Amorphophallus titanum |
| Common Name | Corpse Flower, Titan Arum |
| Native Habitat | Rainforests of western Sumatra, Indonesia |
| Local Name | Bunga bangkai (bunga = “flower,” bangkai = “corpse”) |
| Size | Grows up to 10-12 feet in height |
| Bloom Cycle | Blooms once every 5-10 years; bloom lasts 24-48 hours |
| Structure |
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| Odor |
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| Odor Compounds | Dimethyl trisulfide, trimethylamine, isovaleric acid, indole, putrescine |
| Thermogenesis | Spadix heats up to 20°F above ambient temperature during blooming |
| Pollinators | Carrion-feeding insects (flies, beetles) attracted by smell and heat |
| Fruiting | Produces around 400 red-orange fruits, each containing two seeds |
| Life Impact | Fruiting process is energy-intensive and can sometimes kill the plant |
| Conservation Status | Endangered; fewer than 1,000 individuals left in the wild |
| First Description | Described by Italian botanist Odoardo Beccari in 1878 |
PYQ:[2018] Why is a plant called Prosopis juliflora often mentioned in news? (a) Its extract is widely used in cosmetics. (b) It tends to reduce the biodiversity in the area in which it grows. (c) Its extract is used in the synthesis of pesticides. (d) None of the above |
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