Secrets of the corpse flower revealed

The unusual odor of the titan arum, commonly called the corpse flower because its scent is reminiscent of rotting flesh, draws crowds of curious visitors to greenhouses around the world during its rare blooms. What also intrigues scientists is the corpse flower's propensity for warming itself up just before blooming through a process known as thermogenesis, an uncommon trait in plants that is not well understood.