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!
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