Definition

Noun: - A giant, malodorous tropical plant: A species of flowering plant in the arum family (Araceae), known for producing the largest unbranched inflorescence in the world. It is characterized by a single, enormous, phallic-shaped spadix surrounded by a large, frilled spathe. The plant is infamous for emitting a powerful odor of rotting flesh to attract pollinators.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The botanical garden's Amorphophallus titanum finally bloomed after years of cultivation.
  • The foul smell of the Amorphophallus titanum attracts carrion beetles and flesh flies.
  • Scientists studied the rare flowering cycle of the Amorphophallus titanum.

Advanced Usage

• "The titan arum": This is the common English name for .
  • Crowds gathered to see the rare bloom of the titan arum.
• "The corpse flower": Another common name, referring directly to its characteristic odor.
  • The corpse flower's stench is strongest during the first night of blooming.

Variants and Related Words

• Titan arum (n): The common name for .
• Corpse flower (n): A descriptive common name for and some related species.
• Spadix (n): The fleshy central spike bearing the flowers, a key feature of the .
• Spathe (n): The large, frilled bract that surrounds the spadix in plants like the .

Synonyms

• Titan arum: The primary common synonym.
• Corpse flower: A widely used synonym emphasizing its odor.

Related Terms

• Inflorescence (n): The complete flower head of a plant, including stems, stalks, bracts, and flowers. The structure of the is a type of inflorescence.
• Carrion flower (n): A general term for flowers that smell like rotting meat to attract pollinators; is a prominent example.

Noun

1. malodorous tropical plant having a spathe that resembles the corolla of a morning glory and attains a diameter of several feet