Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1889-09-26
A BOTANICAL PHENOMENON.
Description of Wonderful Flower
Found in Western Sumatra.

The Boston Herald describes an in er-
esting plant known as the Am0rphophal-
las titdnunl, which was discovered in 1875
by DIR. Beccari, in Western Sumatra,
and seeding of which has been on ex-
hibition in the Kew Gardens, London.
1t is said to be something of botanical
phenomenon in size as in other features.
The seeds were terminated in Italy and
she plant now on exhibition has been
several years developing. Year after
year the gigantic tuber has demanded a
larger pot, and annually it has produced
an enormous leaf, at first resem bling a
trunk, but afterward parting into three
branches ten feet above the tuber,
which developed into veins or ribs of
the leaf nearly four yards in length, and
made one immense leaf forty five feet
in circumference. In March last, the
tuber was reported to weigh fifty-seyen
pounds, and measured four feet eight
inches in circumference. In May last
no signs of the usual leaf development
were given, but what proved to be the
flower had begun to push its way to-
wards development Its progress at
first was mt the rate of IN inch day;
then two inches day were added to its
stature, until, in June, its upward prog
ress was almost visible. Excitement
among the habitutes of Kew Gardens,
and scientigc men at large, was intense.
But though many we're watching for the
unfolding Of this great flower, its singu-
larry fugitive character was destined to
disappoint even some of the vigilant
who happened not to be present during
the few hours of its unto ding. On the
last Friday in June last the flower be-
gan to unfold, to spread its great toothed
rim, and to exhibit he wonderful ma
room color of its lining. 1t was ma este
in its beauty-there was no doubt of
thatand by o'clock p. m of the same
day the unfolding process was finished
and the Titan of its race stood in its
completeness. But, oh the horror of
its smell, which filed the spacious
greenhouse to OVERLOOKING and compelled
even the enthusiasts to flee hastily with
handkerchief to nose-a stink such as all
the condemned fish of "A great city
would hesitate to emit. This vile odor
is common to all the aroid family, to
which this plant belongs, its purpose
being jointly for protection and to in
duce fertilization. In this especial case
every fly and insect gathered about the
gigantic spadix, instantly fertilizing the
tiny blooms which clothed it to its sum
nit
This amorphophallus belongs to the
arum family, many members of which
are common among our wild flowers,
and familiar to us all. But wide gulf
separates it from its modest congeners
of the temperate zone. The spathe or
encircling frill from which rises the |
spadix, measured four feet across and
was three feet deep. The interior of
this spathe held for those who pinched /
their noses, and had the courage to look
into its depths, wonderful show of color
purple, tinged with violet, vel |
vet-like sheen, indescribably beautiful. |
This lining has a superb effect, pouring /
over the edges, greenish white, bodily |
toothed and crumpled The spaldix
five feet from its base. which
was ten inches in diameter, and gradu
ally narrowed 10 blunt point, green at
first, but as it grew older turning to
drab The stature of the entire flower
was six feet nine inches, aud in future
years, whenever the tuber chooses to
again develop another bloom, these won
drous dimensions will no doubt be ex-
ceeded.