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An Enigma to Solve: How Can the World's Largest and Stenchiest Flower Produce Heat? A titanic arum	By Stefan Anitei, Science Editor 6th of February 2007, 11:54 GMT Adjust text size:


Titan arum (Amorphophallus titanum) possesses the world's largest unbranched inflorescence, called spike or spadix, which can grow up to 3m (10 feet) height. This species, which grows in the rainforests of Sumatra, is also one the smelliest flowers in the world: when it blooms, the inflorescence sparks a scent of rotting meat that attracts its pollinators, beetles and flies. A team led by biochemist Anthony Moore at University of Sussex is going to investigate another special property of the plant: its thermogenesis (heat producing) ability. A mighty Titan is about to bloom in the Rainforest Biome at the Eden Project in Cornwall, for three days next week (6, 7, 9 February) and its growth rhythm is of about 10-15 cm daily. "It will be a challenging experience," anticipates Professor Moore. "The plant only blooms once every seven years and the flower, which is about two metres long, is magnificent. But its smell is reminiscent of decaying flesh." This species is related to the European "lords and ladies" arum, commonly found in European forests. When Titan arum is going to bloom, its temperature will rise 10-15 �C above its environment, spreading the stench molecules. The thermogenesis is enhanced by an enzyme called the alternative oxidase, found in much higher amounts in the Titan arum than in other arums and plants. The research team will study the enzyme's properties, also found in the parasite of the African sleeping sickness and in fungi, which gives the plant this unique trait, not known in other plants: heat production. "This is a very rare and exciting opportunity to study and talk about one of the great wonders of the plant world, one that is hard to observe in the wild and so far has only been cultivated as isolated individuals rather than colonies. There is still a great deal that remains unknown, even in their native Indonesia." said Moore. "The enzyme may well have considerable industrial and medical relevance, as it has the potential to help scientists design certain fungicides and anti-parasitic pharmaceuticals. And given the wasteful effect that alternative oxidase activity has on plant respiration, this enhanced understanding could lead to the development of more energy-efficient plants." "We are very excited that the Titan is starting to flower at this time of year. It is possibly the earliest this plant has ever come to bloom outside the tropics. It is causing a sensation among visitors and we have to let them know that it gives off a unique odor when it is in its final hours." said Biome Curator, Don Murray, a rainforest expert. If pollinated, the flowers produce clusters of olive-sized fruits, eaten by birds in the wild.

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