Helicodiceros muscivorus
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Dead horse arum lily | |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Monocots |
| Order: | Alismatales |
| Family: | Araceae |
| Subfamily: | Aroideae |
| Tribe: | Areae |
| Genus: | Helicodiceros |
| Species: | H. muscivorus |
| Binomial name | |
| Helicodiceros muscivorus Engl. |
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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]
[edit] References
- ^ H. muscivorus at International Plant Names Index
- ^ D. crinitus at Lemaire, Charles. Flore des serres et des jardins de l’Europe (1849)
- ^ Angioy AM, Stensmyr MC, Urru I, Puliafito M, Collu I, Hansson BS (February 2004). "Function of the heater: the dead horse arum revisited". Proc. Biol. Sci. 271 (Suppl 3): S13–5. doi:10.1098/rsbl.2003.0111. PMC 1809992. PMID 15101405. http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=15101405.
[edit] External links
- Flore des serres et des jardins de l’Europe: Helicodiceros muscivorus picture
- International Aroid Soiety: Helicodiceros muscivorus photo
- Pacific Bulb Society: Helicodiceros muscivorus
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