Amorphophallus titanum

[Gideon]

Here is a link to webcam showing Amorphophallus titanum starting to flower. I have been watching this one since 8 April as it broke through the soil, by today it was 102cm tall, there are 3 cameras. Glad I can't smell it. And don't worry if you see some people popping in from time to time

http://www.gustavus.edu/academics/bio/titanarum/

 

[NYEric]

fascinating..

 

[practicallyostensible]

How exiting! Years back I got to see one at Huntington Gardens, really an amazing site.

 

[Rick]

That thing is incredible.

 

[likespaphs]

d'oh! sorry i missed this when i posted my thread...

 

[Marco]

cool....umm why was that portion cut out and whats the honey comb stuff inside?

 

[kentuckiense]

cool....umm why was that portion cut out and whats the honey comb stuff inside?

They probably cut a hole in the spathe so they could cross pollinate it. Those things you see through the hole are stigmatic (female) flowers.

 

[Ron-NY]

I would imagine they are going to self it...

 

[dave b]

cool....umm why was that portion cut out and whats the honey comb stuff inside?

There is a new posting on the site about the 'window' with new photos.

 

[likespaphs]

i think they're typically self-incompatible so they'll probably cross it with pollen from another one. i wonder if anyone's working on hybrids....
well, i read it and they make no mention of crossing it and mentioned the flower is in retreat. for something so big, they only last a few days...

 

[Marco]

cool. thanks everyone. i just saw the inside of the cut out and it looks pretty wild. looks like something from underwater