1. Scientific Name and Native Habitat:
   • The corpse flower’s scientific name is Amorphophallus titanum.
   • It is native to the Indonesian island of Sumatra.
   • Locally, it is called “Bunga bangkai,” which translates to “corpse flower” due to its strong smell, reminiscent of decaying flesh.
2. Physical Features:
   • Can grow up to 3 meters (10 feet) tall.
   • Has a phallic structure called the spadix that emits a powerful odor to attract insects.
   • Surrounding the spadix is the spathe, a purple petal-like structure that unfurls during the bloom.
3. Bloom Characteristics:
   • Rarely blooms, usually once in 7-10 years, depending on energy stored in its corm.
   • The bloom lasts only 24–36 hours before wilting.
   • The energy for blooming comes from a bulb-like structure called the corm, which stores energy during its leaf phases.
4. Reproductive Process:
   • Has male and female flowers on the same spadix, but they bloom at different times to avoid self-pollination.
   • Attracts carrion insects (e.g., beetles, flies) with its smell, enabling cross-pollination.
   • Cross-pollination is difficult as nearby flowers must bloom simultaneously, which is rare.
5. Odor Composition:
   • The smell of the corpse flower is a mix of:
     • Dimethyl disulfide and Dimethyl trisulfide: Resemble rotting meat/cabbage.
     • 3-Methylbutanal: Smells like soft cheese.
     • Dimethyl sulfide: Sulfurous smell, like boiled cabbage.
     • Isovaleric acid: Similar to smelly feet.
   • These smells mimic decaying organisms to attract pollinating insects.
6. Conservation Status:
   • Classified as endangered due to habitat destruction and poaching.
   • Approximately 300 remain in the wild, and 1,000 are in cultivated settings.
7. Global Cultivation and Popularity:
   • Found in botanical gardens and greenhouses worldwide, where tropical environments are replicated.
   • Notable blooms are major attractions, drawing thousands of visitors for their rarity and novelty.

MCQs with Detailed Answers

Basic Identification

1. What is the scientific name of the corpse flower?
   A. Rafflesia arnoldii
   B. Amorphophallus titanum
   C. Titan arum
   D. Nepenthes rajah
   Answer: B. Amorphophallus titanumExplanation: The corpse flower’s official scientific name is Amorphophallus titanum. The alternative common name “Titan arum” is less formal.

2. What does the term “Bunga bangkai” mean in Indonesian?
   A. Rotten leaf
   B. Giant flower
   C. Corpse flower
   D. Smelly bloom
   Answer: C. Corpse flowerExplanation: “Bunga” means “flower,” and “bangkai” means “corpse” in Indonesian, referencing its odor.

3. What part of the corpse flower emits the smell?
   A. Spathe
   B. Spadix
   C. Corm
   D. Leaves
   Answer: B. SpadixExplanation: The spadix is the central spike of the flower, which heats up to release the odor to attract insects.

Bloom and Pollination

4. How frequently does the corpse flower bloom?
   A. Every year
   B. Every 7–10 years
   C. Every 20 years
   D. Twice a year
   Answer: B. Every 7–10 yearsExplanation: Blooms are rare due to the plant’s energy cycle, as the corm needs to store significant energy before flowering.

5. What happens during the “leaf phase” of a corpse flower?
   A. The flower blooms.
   B. The plant produces seeds.
   C. Photosynthesis occurs to store energy in the corm.
   D. The spadix releases its odor.
   Answer: C. Photosynthesis occurs to store energy in the corm.Explanation: During the leaf phase, a single large leaf grows, photosynthesizes, and replenishes the corm’s energy reserves.

6. Why is cross-pollination challenging for the corpse flower?
   A. Flowers cannot attract insects.
   B. Male and female flowers are in different plants.
   C. Flowers bloom infrequently and not simultaneously in proximity.
   D. Flowers have a short lifespan.
   Answer: C. Flowers bloom infrequently and not simultaneously in proximity.Explanation: For successful cross-pollination, other flowers need to bloom nearby, which is rare.

Conservation and Cultivation

7. How many corpse flowers are estimated to remain in the wild?
   A. ~100
   B. ~300
   C. ~500
   D. ~1,000
   Answer: B. ~300Explanation: Only about 300 corpse flowers are left in the wild, highlighting their endangered status.

8. Where can corpse flowers be grown outside their native habitat?
   A. Sandy deserts
   B. Temperate plains
   C. Greenhouses with tropical climates
   D. Alpine mountain ranges
   Answer: C. Greenhouses with tropical climatesExplanation: Greenhouses replicate the humid, tropical environment required for corpse flower growth.

Odor Characteristics

9. Which chemical in the corpse flower’s odor smells like boiled cabbage?
   A. Dimethyl trisulfide
   B. Dimethyl disulfide
   C. Methanethiol
   D. Isovaleric acid
   Answer: C. MethanethiolExplanation: Methanethiol gives a strong sulfurous smell, resembling boiled or rotting cabbage.

10. What purpose does the corpse flower’s odor serve?
    A. Protection from predators
    B. Attracting carrion insects for pollination
    C. Conservation of energy
    D. Repelling herbivores
    Answer: B. Attracting carrion insects for pollinationExplanation: The smell mimics decaying meat to attract insects like flies and beetles, which aid in pollination.

The corpse flower’s unique characteristics, including its sporadic blooming, strong odor, and ecological challenges, make it an important plant to study for both conservation efforts and scientific understanding.