International Aroid Society

Sorry I can't help with the ID; I was mainly intrigued by the descriptions of the scent. A mushroom smell would imply that it is pollinated by fungus gnats. As to the smell of a wood fire, I am trying to think what pollinators would be attracted to that?

I cannot find information on the pollination biology, but the pattern of female anthesis, followed by male anthesis, is found throughout the Araceae, which means that a flower cannot pollinize itself; you would need the pollen from one flower to pollinate another flower.

Message: 1

Date: Fri, 7 Sep 2018 15:22:21 -0500

From: Steve Marak <samarak@gizmoworks.com>

Subject: [Aroid-l] Biarum tenuifolium ssp. abbreviatum

To: aroid-l@www.gizmoworks.com

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Received with that name, at least; opinions from the experts would be

welcome.

The attached picture, which I know is poor, is of inflorescences on two

plants that opened today. The odor to me is exactly that of a wood fire

at the beginning of a rain, smoky and slightly acrid, but Cathy thought

it more a mushroom smell.

What's the pollination biology of Biarum as far as when pollen is mature

and when the stigmas are receptive? (And are they self-fertile?)

Thanks,

Steve