Biology of Weird Plants--the Voodoo Lily (Sauromatum guttatum)!

 

Tested Studies in Laboratory Teaching, 2016, Volume 37

Karen McDougal, Judy E. Moore, & Marsha E. Fanning

Abstract

Sauromatum guttatum, the Voodoo Lily, is an unusual arum lily which has considerable potential for classroom and research use. Aspects of voodoo lily biology include: 1. Vegetative and reproductive phases of the life cycle, with directions for culturing corms and planting fruits; 2. Biochemical background on thermogenic reactions which volatilize compounds and attract pollinators, and 3. Information on a Seek Thermal IR camera for measuring heat generated by the inflorescence. Classroom/lab topics in which the voodoo lily has been used include vegetative structure, inflorescence structure and function, and pollination biology.

Keywords:  plant reproduction, pollination

Boston University (2015)