Could a Corpse Flower by Any Other Name Cause Such a Stink?

A Little about a Large Flower
Any way you sniff it, the Titan Arum or Corpse Flower is said to have a stench likened to that of well, a corpse. The name aside, it is a little unnerving to look at a plant that reaches upwards of 10 feet out of a mound of fresh dirt. Sort of gives the appearance of a B grade movie, complete with trite close up finish of a hand reaching out from beyond the grave. As if that wasn't enough, combining the stench and the sickly yellow stem with blackish purple colors resembling rot, the flower is actually warm blooded. Able to heat itself up to 10 degrees warmer, the flower is helping to spread the odor and attract the carrion flies and beetles it needs to pollinate it. Just one look at this plant and you know there could be no other name for this living, growing decay.

Anatomy of an Arum
The tallest part of the plant is the Spadix. The central column where its true flowers are found. Ranging in height from 6 feet to 10 feet, this is the piece that most spectators come to see. If we working our way down, the Spathe is the large and scalloped edged leaf, a structure that wraps around, typically 3 feet in diameter. Located at the base is the Tuber. This is where the flower blossoms. Its weight has been known to reach 170 plus pounds. An amazing thing of beauty, considering it takes years to flourish and only lasts 2 days at its peak. On of the most fascinating aspects to me, is that when the flower is passing its prime, it has no petals to drop so it closes itself up, restoring itself to nearly a pre-bloom state. The leaf will live around a year then die. The tuber, which controls the growth, will lay dormant for up to 10 years, even after death. Then will be able to produce another leaf or flower. This cycle averages approximately 40 years.