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

 

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

Tested Studies in Laboratory Teaching, 2016, Volume 37

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)