# Dartmouth Scientists Reveal the Genetic Mysteries Behind the Corpse Flower’s Notorious Odor
A groundbreaking study conducted at Dartmouth has shed light on the mysterious processes associated with the corpse flower, scientifically known as **Amorphophallus titanum**. This uncommon plant, recognized for its enormous size and its revolting smell that resembles decaying flesh, has captivated attention for years. Now, through detailed genetic and chemical investigations, the mechanisms that govern its exceptional ability to produce heat and emit its unpleasant odor have been revealed. This fresh research also pinpointed **putrescine**, a previously unrecognized factor in the titan arum’s scent, providing a better understanding of how nature’s tallest—and possibly smelliest—flower functions.
### Corpse Flower at Dartmouth: A Unique Research Opportunity
Renowned for attracting both researchers and intrigued visitors, corpse flowers are notoriously challenging to study due to their **unpredictable and rare blooming cycles**, which occur approximately once every 5-7 years. This difficult characteristic is further complicated by the bloom’s short duration, generally lasting only a few days. As highlighted by **G. Eric Schaller**, a professor of biological sciences at Dartmouth, precise timing is crucial when it comes to researching these remarkable plants.
“**The blooms are rare and also brief**, so we have only a limited window to examine these phenomena,” Schaller notes. This urgency prompted Dartmouth researchers to take advantage of several blooming events of **Morphy**, a beloved local corpse flower that is now 21 years old.
### A Heated Show: The Corpse Flower’s Blooming Mechanism
Contrary to popular belief, the corpse flower doesn’t blooming as a single large flower but is made up of many small flowers within the **spadix**—a tall, central column that can reach heights of **12 feet**. Enveloping this spadix is the **spathe**, the petal-like structure that dramatically unfurls to present a deep, blood-red interior.
However, the titan arum isn’t just notable for its dimension or coloration. As it begins to bloom, a unique occurrence takes place—**the spadix produces heat**. This phenomenon, referred to as **thermogenesis**, can elevate the flower’s temperature by **up to 20 degrees Fahrenheit** above the surrounding atmosphere. This aids in spreading the plant’s strong odor and luring in pollinators such as flies and beetles, which are instinctively attracted to the scent of rotting flesh.
### Unraveling the Corpse Flower’s Aroma
The Dartmouth team adopted a comprehensive approach, gathering **nine tissue samples** over the span of three bloom nights to unlock the biological mysteries of the corpse flower’s complex heat production and foul scent. By employing **RNA analysis**, the researchers discovered increased activity in the genes related to heat production and sulfur-based compounds during the flowering phase.
Utilizing **mass spectrometry**, a method for identifying chemicals at a molecular scale, scientists focused on the flower’s scent profile. They found that the spadix contains significant quantities of **methionine**, a sulfur-containing amino acid that breaks down under heat to produce strong odors akin to decomposing matter. This discovery confirmed the flower’s sulfurous base, but the study unveiled something surprising: heightened levels of **putrescine**, a compound typically released during animal decay.
**Putrescine** introduces an intriguing new element to our comprehension of the corpse flower’s scent. It is one of the key chemicals contributing to the odor of decaying flesh, painting a fuller picture of how the titan arum imitates the scent of decomposition to entice pollinators.
### Implications of This Discovery
The identification of **putrescine** expands our understanding of the corpse flower and challenges earlier beliefs that sulfur compounds were solely responsible for its stench. With **methionine** prompting heat during blooming and **putrescine** adding to the odor profile of decay, this study marks a crucial advancement in grasping the intricate biochemical mechanisms behind this peculiar plant’s scent and heat production.
Additionally, these findings could illuminate genetic mechanisms in other heat-generating plants, enhancing our knowledge of how plants chemically and thermally influence their surroundings—a field with wide ecological ramifications.
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### Glossary
– **Thermogenesis**: The biological capacity to produce heat. This trait is rare among plants but essential for attracting pollinators to the corpse flower.
– **RNA (Ribonucleic Acid)**: A molecule that aids in translating genetic material into proteins, directing cell functions and transformations during the flower’s bloom.
– **Mass Spectrometry**: An advanced analytical method employed to identify chemical compounds and quantify their concentrations.
– **Amino Acids**: The fundamental components of proteins, vital for nearly every biological process, including the generation of odors in plants.
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### Quiz: Challenge Your Knowledge of the Corpse Flower
To reinforce your newfound knowledge of this fascinating plant, take a moment to try