Helicodiceros muscivorus

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Dead horse arum lily

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Liliopsida
Order: Alismatales
Family: Araceae
Genus: Helicodiceros
Species: H. muscivorus
Binomial name
Helicodiceros muscivorus
Engl.

Helicodiceros muscivorus (Dead horse arum lily; syn. Helicodiceros crinitus [1], Dracunculus crinitus [2]) 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.[3]

Inflorescence close-up
Inflorescence close-up

[edit] References

  1. ^ H. muscivorus at International Plant Names Index
  2. ^ D. crinitus at Lemaire, Charles. Flore des serres et des jardins de l’Europe (1849)
  3. ^ Angjoy, A.M. et al. "Function of the heater: the dead horse arum revisited", Proceedings. Biological sciences / The Royal Society, February 7, 2004.

[edit] External links