The Corpse Flower’s Secret: Dartmouth Scientists Unravel the Mystery of itsPutrid Scent
A team of Dartmouth scientists has cracked the code behind theinfamous stench of the Amorphophallus titanum, the corpse flower, revealing a novel compound and the genetic pathways driving its unique heat-generating bloom.
The corpse flower, with its towering inflorescence and pungent odor reminiscent of rotting flesh, draws throngs of curious onlookers to greenhouses worldwide during its rare flowering.This infrequent bloom, typically occurring every 5 to 7 years, is a spectacle lasting only a single night. But beyond its visual drama lies a fascinating biological puzzle: the plant’s remarkable ability to self-heat, aprocess known as thermogenesis, before flowering. This, coupled with its foul aroma, has long intrigued scientists.
A new study, led by Dartmouth College Professor G. Eric Schaller and published in PNAS Nexus, delvesinto the genetic and biochemical mechanisms underlying both the heat production and the characteristic stench of the Amorphophallus titanum. The research, utilizing tissue samples from a 21-year-old corpse flower named Morphy housed in Dartmouth’s life sciences greenhouse, has yielded significant insights.
The research teamcollected nine tissue samples over three nights during Morphy’s 2016 bloom, focusing on the spathe (the modified leaf forming a cup around the central spadix) at its peak temperature. Samples were taken from the spathe’s lip and base, as well as its towering appendage.This meticulous approach allowed for detailed gene and chemical analyses.
The study identified a new component in the corpse flower’s odor profile: putrescine, an organic compound. This discovery, alongside the already known mix of pungent sulfur-containing compounds, contributes to the overall putrid smell that attracts carrion fliesand beetles, crucial pollinators for this unusual plant.
Furthermore, the research illuminated the genetic pathways responsible for thermogenesis. The spathe, a ruffled, petal-like layer at the base of the flower, heats up to 20 degrees Fahrenheit above ambient temperature before releasing its characteristic odor. This process,unique to a small number of plants, is now better understood thanks to Schaller’s team’s work. The precise genetic mechanisms driving this heat generation are detailed in the PNAS Nexus paper, providing a significant advancement in our understanding of plant biology.
This flower is rare and ephemeral, sowe have a very short window to study these phenomena, explains Schaller. The challenges of working with such a fleeting event highlight the dedication and precision required to unlock the secrets of the corpse flower. The research not only unveils the mysteries behind the plant’s unique characteristics but also contributes to a broader understanding of plantevolution and adaptation.
References:
- Schaller, G. E. et al. (2024). [Insert full citation for PNAS Nexus article here once available].
Image Credits:
- [Insert image captions and proper attribution for both images here].
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