We saw this plant in February, Kafountine, Cassemance, Senegal. It was growing in sandy soil (coastal) along the side of a track, standing 6-9 inches high. Any thoughts on identification would be appreciated. Thank you.
Looks like the early stages of an aroid inflorescence. Amorphophallus is an example of a well-known genus producing such, but I would certainly not insist species shown could not belong to another.
stunning plant and photo janet. As Ron says Amorphophallus aphyllus in this case Amorphophallus aphyllus http://www.aroid.org/genera/speciespage.php?genus=amorphophallus&species=aphyllus
Nope! Like many aroids, it is very warm . . . the flowers generate heat to help disperse the 'scent' and attract pollinating insects better
Jeez loueeze, M. Must you be so literal? Sorry for my lapse into the vernacular! A plant of most unusual and striking configuration. How's that? (Striking smell, no doubt.)
All plants are cool. http://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/beauty/cypripedium/cypripedium_passerinum.shtml Try that on for size, mon ami! Cool, rare, and special.
So apparently this one does not in fact do much more, I assumed it was going to elongate and grow significantly taller.
If there's a larger photograph of that plant available, I'd love to use it for Botany Photo of the Day.
Hi Daniel, there is a larger photo of the plant (i.e. 3.8 MB taken 7 megapixel camera & cropped slightly) - you would be welcome to use it for photo of the day. How do I go about sending it? Bryan