The lengths that some plants go to have sex.

Amorphophallus konjac. What do you need to know? Amorphophallus means mis-shapen penis. When it flowers, it stinks of rancid flesh. It does all this to attract unsuspecting pollinating carrion-insects in a parasitic relationship that promotes pollination of A. konjac whilst leaving visiting flies and beetles frustrated. Also known as devil's tongue and snake palm.

When I heard that the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh had a couple of specimens of A. konjac coming into flower, I had to go to visit to see and smell. I was not disappointed. At approx 125cm in height, with a flower approximately half this length, the deep purple flower is impressive, and it smelt putrid. Nice.

What of Amorphophallus konjac in nature? Unlike its larger and more famous congener, Amorphophallus titanum, which is classified as Endangered by the IUCN, Amorphophallus konjac is in no imminent danger of extinction, as outwith its native range (the Yunnan region of China) it is widely cultivated in east Asia as a food plant.

Click here to find out more about Wee Reekie at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.

More info on my visit to Amorphophallus konjac can be found at my Blog here.

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