Odor. Sex. Food. – in Aroid Species
Wednesday, September 12 from 12:00 - 1:00 pm, in the Cooley Theater
Many of the most popular collectable plant species in the rain forest are aroids. Members of the family Araceae, aroids are consequently some of the most frequently grown house plants in the world. The 3,300 plant species which are members of this family include Philodendron, Anthurium, Caladium, Amorphophallus, and many other exquisitely spectacular species.
Hoe Yin Chen, PhD Candidate from the University of Malaysia, will share his expertise of the genus Homalomena, a most special, diverse, and yet poorly-understood aroid genus in tropical Southeast Asia.
Chen's focus is on aroid pollination biology, and his goal is to understand how aroids evolved and remained “unpolluted.” His interest lies in the relationship between the pollinator and the “temptress” who attracts with not only a floral odor but with a well-designed “mating chamber” and the added bonus of an edible treat as the primary rewards.