titan arum
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: 1. A very large, foul-smelling tropical plant: "titan arum" refers specifically to a species of plant (Amorphophallus titanum) native to Sumatra, Indonesia. It is known for producing the world's largest unbranched inflorescence (a cluster of flowers on a single stalk). Its most famous characteristics are its immense size and the powerful odor of rotting flesh it emits when in bloom, which attracts pollinating insects.
Examples of Usage
- Noun:
- The botanical garden's titan arum finally bloomed after years of careful cultivation.
- The titan arum is often called the "corpse flower" due to its distinctive smell.
- Crowds gathered to see the rare flowering of the titan arum.
Advanced Usage
- Scientific Context: In botany, the "titan arum" is studied for its unique thermogenic properties (ability to produce heat) and its specialized pollination strategy.
- The research paper detailed the thermogenesis of the Amorphophallus titanum, commonly known as the titan arum.
Variants and Related Words
- Corpse flower (n): A common name for the titan arum, directly referencing its odor.
- The corpse flower is one of the most famous plants in the world.
- Amorphophallus titanum (n): The scientific Latin name for the species.
- Amorphophallus titanum is the correct binomial nomenclature for this plant.
Synonyms
- Corpse flower: The most widely used synonym, emphasizing its smell.
- Giant padma: A less common alternative name.
Related Phrases
- In bloom / to bloom: The specific state or action of the titan arum's flowers opening, which is a rare and short-lived event.
- The titan arum only blooms for 24 to 48 hours.
- Spathe and spadix: The specific botanical terms for the large, petal-like bract (spathe) and the central flower-bearing spike (spadix) that make up the titan arum's inflorescence.
- The deep red spathe of the titan arum unfurls to reveal the spadix.
Noun
- malodorous tropical plant having a spathe that resembles the corolla of a morning glory and attains a diameter of several feet