Thursday, May 1, 2008

Have you seen this flower?

Photo: Rose Petrov (Copyright reserved).
Click on it to enlarge.

We came across this flower at Olavipe last night. Can you identify it?
It is about 1.5 ft tall.
Shall get back with more pictures and details.

Also see:

Amorphophallus, a medicinal plant with unique flower

Kerala Flowers?

7 comments:

Jen Kumar said...

Sir,
Did not know how to contact you. I like your blog title song of the waves, it's very similar to mine at alaivani (waves of sound)..Maybe you can see my blog in your free time, www.alaivani.com
Thank you.

Nebu said...

Isn’t it the amorphophallus (chena)flower? It has a putrefying smell if I am not mistaken.

Unknown said...

Thanks, Jennifer. I did visit your site. In my language, Malayalam, 'alai' means waves.

Unknown said...

Nebu, you are right.

Anna said...

Hello Abraham,
I hope you remember me (Rose's friend Anna who stayed a few weeks ago) I have just watched a documentary on the BBC called 'Wild China' which featured the flower of the elephants foot yam and it is indeed the flower you have at Olavipe. It is also known locally in China as 'the witch of the forest'. It is indeed quite a remarkable flower. At night it increases it temperature by about 10 degrees celsius and releases the smell of rotting flesh to attract carrion beetles. The beetles then become trapped inside the flower and the following day the flower will release its pollen onto them. The flower also then changes the inner surface of its wall to allow the beetles to crawl out, carrying the pollen with them to the next rotting flesh scented flower to ensure pollenation - remarkable indeed! If you are interested in tracking down the documentary it was aired on BBC2 on Sunday 18th May at 8pm. I'm really glad I had the opportunity to see this flower up close and hope you find the information as interesting as I have.
With very best wishes,
Anna

Unknown said...

Anna, of course I remember you. It was nice having you at Olavipe and I hope you would come back for a longer visit.

Thank you for the information on amorphophallus flower. It is truly interesting.

I showed the photographs of the flower to several people. Only two had seen it.

All the best.

Abraham.

Anonymous said...

Good Job! :)