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Wildwalk Runs Foul with Deformed Penis!
At-Bristol science centre receives new exotic plant from Kew
22 August 2006 - At-Bristol science centre has received a stinking gift
from Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew!
The donation is in fact an exotic species named Amorphophallus, otherwise
best known as ‘deformed penis’ in Greek. This species of plant emits a
strong odour to attract carrion beetle pollinators when its female flowers
are in full bloom and ready to receive male pollens.
“The Amorphophallus plants hosted in the botanical house of Wildwalk-At-Bristol
are currently waiting to flower but once they do, visitors will certainly
be in for a shock with the stench!” says Lin Jenkins, horticulturist,
At-Bristol.
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‘The appendix of the plant heats up when the female flowers are receptive
to waft a revolting odour that smells like dog poo or dead fish to attract
the carrion beetle pollinators. The smell is formed by the evaporation of
chemicals from the surface of the appendix when it heats up.’ adds Lin,
who specialises in the study of Amorphophallus.
‘The dreadful smell is produced at different times of the day or night and
for varying duration, depending on the species. For instance, when I was
at Kew observing one of the species, Amorphophallus variabilis, I notice
that its gaseous odour started at 4.30pm on the dot, and stopped abruptly
at 7.30pm. That routine continued for three to four evenings on the trot.
This indicates that the prime pollinator in Java, where this type species
originates, is most active in early evening.’ says Lin. |
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The appendix is the most phallic area in the floral structure of the
plant. The floral structure is technically an inflorescence comprising of
a spathe and spadix.
The spathe is often the colourful 'petal' or specialised leaf. The spadix,
which also consists of the appendix, is a phallic area that contains a
30mm band of about 100 small female flowers at the base and 200 to 300
tiny male flowers directly above it.
‘I believe that the name of Amorphophallus, which means ‘deformed penis’
in Greek, was attributed to the appendix of one particular species, the
Amorphophallus paeoniifolius. It has a rounded, leathery ruby-red,
brain-like structure sitting on the stout spadix, which resembles a
revolting image of phallic deformity.’ adds Lin.
The ‘deformed penis’ in Wildwalk is expected to bloom within a year, let’s
hold our breath for this!
For more information please contact Mavis Choong, At-Bristol Press Office
tel: 0117 915 7137; mob: 07967 33 4152; email:
mavis.choong@at-bristol.org.uk
Note to Editors:
There are nearly 200 species of Amorphophallus type found
in the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world.
Wildwalk-At-Bristol currently hosts six species of Amorphophallus and they
are young plants namely, A. ankarana, A. henryi, A. konjac, A. albus, A.
dunnii and A. variabilis.
Some species have a specific dormancy period each year while others are
more irregular. They are all able to jettison their foliage should
inclement conditions occur. Irregular dormancy makes the growth and
development of many species fairly unpredictable.
The ones currently on public display are A. ankarana and A. henryi.
A.henryi smells remarkably like dog poo, while A. ankarana, from
Madagascar, smells of cocoa.
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