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Abstract Detail



Education and Outreach

Rork, Adam [1], Krakos, Kyra [1].

The Stench of Science: Chemical Ecology Education with a Corpse Flower.

Amporphophallus titanum, also known as the corpse flower, is well known in the botanical world for having the largest unbranched inflorescence and for emitting an unmistakable, putrid odor. Native only to western Sumatra, it has become increasingly popular as a cultivated specimen in botanical gardens across the world for over a century, for both display and educational purposes. Despite this and its unique ecology, we only know basic information about its thermoregulation, volatile emission, and reproductive biology. During a recent blooming event, we analyzed the floral volatile profile of the Missouri Botanical Garden's A. titanum, Izzy, using SPME-GC-MS. Our work served to educate amateur botanists and the public about unique floral chemistry and the broader field of chemical ecology via public demonstrations, publications in a local magazine, and symposia presentations.


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1 - Maryville University of St. Louis, College of Arts & Sciences, 650 Maryville University Dr., St. Louis, MO, 63141, USA

Keywords:
Chemical ecology
Floral volatiles
SPME
Titan arum
Education.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 18, Education and Outreach I
Location: Sundance 4/Omni Hotel
Date: Tuesday, June 27th, 2017
Time: 8:45 AM
Number: 18004
Abstract ID:192
Candidate for Awards:None


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