Ecologist - Writer - Photographer
Amorphophallus konjac detail - Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

A view into the flower of Wee Reekie, Amorphophallus konjac. Featuring both spadix (central spike inflorescence) and spathe (leaf-like bract). The purple colouration is thought to resemble rotting flesh. Alongside the putrid stench, this is a characteristic evolved to trick carrion insects into visiting the flower in order to pollinate the plant by carrying pollen from one A. konjac to another.

Location: RBGE, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

Photographer: Jason Gilchrist

Amorphophallus konjac detail - Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

A view into the flower of Wee Reekie, Amorphophallus konjac. Featuring both spadix (central spike inflorescence) and spathe (leaf-like bract). The purple colouration is thought to resemble rotting flesh. Alongside the putrid stench, this is a characteristic evolved to trick carrion insects into visiting the flower in order to pollinate the plant by carrying pollen from one A. konjac to another.

Location: RBGE, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

Photographer: Jason Gilchrist