Amorphophallus Morphophallology

From: "James W. Waddick" <jimjim at sky.net> on 1997.02.21 at 17:15:09(410) Dear Wilbert et al; Dept of dumb questions. I've always thought the appendix of the spadix (the terminal portion above the male floral zone) was olbviously the visual target in pollination. It is often the largest portion of the spadix, usually the most colorful etc etc. In your admirable Aroideana guide to the genus you mention that the appendix is also the source for scent and exudes droplets of fluid and may be the source for all the heat. It does make sense (scents) more likely for the portion that warms up to exude its liquid perfume, warm it up and be situatuated above the spadix -or at least at the top to do all this and get maximum scent exposure. So my question.... Is all this supposition true? Does the appedix fluid also have any attraction to insects (sugars or?) ? And it seems that the appendix seems to have the greatest range of variation of any spadix components. Eh? +More Thanks Jim W. Voice: 816 746 1949 James W. Waddick E-MAIL: jimjim@sky.net 8871 NW Brostrom Rd Fax: 816 746 1939 Kansas City MO 64152

From: "NAME \"Wilbert Hetterscheid\"" <W.HETTER at pbga.agro.nl> on 1997.02.22 at 03:42:05(411) Dear Jim, The appendix is certainly the most variable part of the spadix morphology of Amorphophallus. The heat development is found both in the male zone and the appendix, which is not too surprising as the appendix is in fact one large collection of fused and non-functional male flowers (a synandrodium). Therefore appendix and male zone are in fact continuous and both produce heat. The appendix fluid may be a means to wet the visiting insects and get pollen to stick to them. It has been suggested for Philodendron I think pers. comm. Tom Croat) and could equally well apply to Amorphophallus, yet not many species actually do it. The exposure of the appendix has always led me to believe it is some kind of flag. Maybe beetles (the pollinators) are attracted by infrared! I actually don't know if beetles are but I recall that dung beetles are attracted by light sources at night but I don't know if it's the infrared heat-radiation emitted by electric lights that attract them. It seems sure that the heating also helps in volatising the chemicals that make-up the scent. These were some thoughts. Happy infrared dreams! +More Wilbert

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