UW--Department of Biology

<%@LANGUAGE="VBSCRIPT" CODEPAGE="1252"%> UW--Department of Biology
















Department of Biology University of Washington 106 Kincaid Hall Box 351800 Seattle, WA 98195-1800 Phone: (206) 543-1620 Fax: (206) 543-3041 biology@u.washington.edu

Showcasing the Department of Biology

Here are a few interesting and entertaining things from the past and ongoing in the Department of Biology.

	Research on Chilis (hot!) Research on why chilies are hot from an evolutionary perspective
	Penguin Calling Behavior Male Display Call in Magellanic Penguins
	Amorphophallus titanum (Corpse Flower) Series of photos of the largest aroid species
	2005 Undergraduation BBQ, sponsored by Tri-Beta Located at the Botany Greenhouse, 5/20/05

Amorphophallus titanum (Corpse flower)

Species in the genus Amorphophallus (the largest aroid) exist much of the year as tubers (swollen stem) above which are one or more large leaves. The leaves die, and the tuber then produces one huge inflorescence. Since this inflorescence is pollinated by carrion beetles (which live on dead meat), the inflorescence produces an awful odor to attract its pollinator. To volatilize this sulphur-based "perfume," or maybe to act as an infrared attractant, the flower heats up so that can be quite warm to the touch.

<< Previous Next >>


Tuber with large leaves