Hortus Botanicus Leiden, Netherlands

Common name: Giant voodoo lily, Bunga bangkai

Family: Araceae (Arum family)

Distribution: Sumatera

Comments: The structure of the inflorescence of Amorphophallus gigas is comparable to A. decus-silvae. Both species have inflorescences on a large flowering stem, but it is longer in A. gigias, making it the tallest species in the genus. The inflorescence consists of a central pillar with one large sheath/bract around it. At the base of the central structure you find male and female flowers. During flowering, the bract opens and the female flowers become mature and they start to produce a corpse-like smell to attract small carrion flies. The flowering structure heats up to about 30 degrees Celsius. The scent is very strong and attracts flies from all over. After 24 hours, the female flowers close and the male flowers mature. The males are scentless and covered in pollen. The smell disappears and the flies now leave the inflorescence covered in pollen. After 24 more hourse, the flower collapses.