The Streets of Melbourne<p>I’m sure you’ve seen one of these on the internet before. Or maybe IRL! </p><p>This is a <a href="https://aus.social/tags/Amorphophallustitanum" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Amorphophallustitanum</span></a>… the largest stemmed flowering plant (an inflorescence - ie a cluster of flowers arranged on a single stalk) on earth. </p><p>It is native to the island of Sumatra in western Indonesia.</p><p>The first pic is from the <a href="https://aus.social/tags/Cairns" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Cairns</span></a> <a href="https://aus.social/tags/Botanicgardens" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Botanicgardens</span></a>, <a href="https://aus.social/tags/Queensland" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Queensland</span></a> <a href="https://aus.social/tags/Australia" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Australia</span></a> (2022). </p><p>Intriguing info:</p><p>The Amorphophallus titanum is also known as the "<a href="https://aus.social/tags/corpseflower" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>corpseflower</span></a>" because of its pungent smell when it blooms.</p><p>The odour is designed to attract carrion flies for pollination by imitating the stench of a dead animal.</p><p>Some <a href="https://aus.social/tags/Amorphophalli" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Amorphophalli</span></a> will go through an entire life cycle in three or four years, although most (a <a href="https://aus.social/tags/titanarum" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>titanarum</span></a>, pictured) can be expected to live for several decades.</p><p>The titanarum stores energy in its corm, or underground stem. This energy (food) is later used to fuel the rapid growth, following a period of dormancy. </p><p>Usually takes 4–10 years or more between flowerings (ie, for a titanarum). </p><p>The corm can weigh around 70–90 kg (154–200 pounds).</p><p>While in bloom, the plant structure generates heat, more than 90 °F (32 °C)</p><p>They typically grow around 2.5m (8 feet) tall. Some grow larger. </p><p>How intriguing! </p><p>Source: abc.net.au. <br>Also Wiki: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amorphophallus_titanum" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amorphop</span><span class="invisible">hallus_titanum</span></a> and Britannica.com. </p><p><a href="https://aus.social/tags/urbanflora" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>urbanflora</span></a> <a href="https://aus.social/tags/flora" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>flora</span></a> <a href="https://aus.social/tags/gardening" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>gardening</span></a> <a href="https://aus.social/tags/garden" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>garden</span></a> <a href="https://aus.social/tags/melbourne" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>melbourne</span></a> <a href="https://aus.social/tags/aesthetichedonist" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>aesthetichedonist</span></a> <a href="https://aus.social/tags/januaryjoy" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>januaryjoy</span></a> <a href="https://aus.social/tags/gardeningAU" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>gardeningAU</span></a> <a href="https://aus.social/tags/gardening" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>gardening</span></a> <a href="https://aus.social/tags/narrm" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>narrm</span></a> <a href="https://aus.social/tags/victoria" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>victoria</span></a> <a href="https://aus.social/tags/Australia" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>Australia</span></a> <a href="https://aus.social/tags/godmustbeabotanist" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>godmustbeabotanist</span></a> <a href="https://aus.social/tags/makesmehappy" class="mention hashtag" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">#<span>makesmehappy</span></a></p>