Miami Titanum

From: Don Burns <burns at mobot.org> on 1998.06.19 at 19:46:55(2343) Amorphophiles, We just returned from Miami, having eyeballed, cozied up to, and photographed Amorphophallus titanum. This is the first time I have seen this monster and it is astounding! The energy expended by the "tuber" (I already read Wilbert's "short" note) to cause the inflorescence to grow vertically at an average of four inches per day must be very high. I have seen other smaller plants shoot up peduncles faster, but none had to create so much mass in doing so, except possibly some yuccas. During the past 24 hours the tuber appears to have shifted into second gear. Spadix growth has slowed measurably to one or so inch. The ruffling at the fringes of the spathe is now becoming very apparent along with the deep red-purple coloring that will follow on the inside of the spathe. It is clear that the inflorescence is being prepared for opening as the central portion of the spathe, still tightly wrapped around the spadix, is becoming deeply wrinkled vertically. Apparently the spathe is now growing around its circumference, and this must be the beginning of the opening process. I have no idea how long the opening process will take, but my suspicion is that we may not see it open until early next week. In fact someone mentioned that the plant may be "aware" that the local IAS meeting is scheduled for Monday night, and thus will delay its opening until then ;-) There are two cameras focused on the inflorescence and time lapsing at 10 minute increments. One camera view is from the side, and the second is above the inflorescence, which should make for very interesting viewing. If any of you have been looking for an excuse to fly to south Florida for a brief stay, you now have it... Don +More Don Burns Plantation, FL USA Zone 10b

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