Rare plant blossoms on campus
by Lauren Crider, nw news editor

    “Feed me, Seymour, feed me!”

   Many remember Little Shop of Horrors as a movie known for its cheesy acting, unique story line and especially for the giant flesh devouring plant that constantly wanted more.

   NW Campus has a very unusual plant of its own. It did not fall from an alien space ship, like Seymour’s plant did, but it’s definitely one not often found around this area.

   In 1977 Mark Schusler, assistant professor of horticulture, brought an Amorphophallus Konjac to TCC. He has since continued to cultivate this species on the NW Campus.

   What makes this plant interesting is not that it is native to Vietnam, or that it is often found in restaurants in Asia, or even that it grows as tall as a man.

   The plant masquerades as rotting flesh to attract pollinators. Carrion feeding insects such as flies or beetles pollinate this plant. The unsuspecting insects think they have found a meal, not knowing they are pawns in a scheme to propagate the plant species, Schusler said.

   “It’s not as far fetched a plan as it seems. The extent to which this species goes is tempting to insects and nauseating to some people, but still remarkable,” he said.

   Starting small, the plant eventually grows a large tuber with one or two leaves. The leaves can grow to be three or four feet tall and three feet wide. The tuber then blooms into a large flower, and the masquerade begins.

   The flower resembles rotting meat with a reddish color and odd texture. However, should the pollinator suspect, the plant has a plan B, Schusler said.

   More convincing is the rotting meat aroma it emits. The smell filters through the air leaving a stench hanging within five feet of the plant.

   Although they usually do not flower until spring, Schusler has concocted a solution, which makes them flower early.

   Because the Amorphophallus Konjac is a smaller version of a similar but larger and more pungent plant, the A. Titanum, it has been dubbed “Little Stinky.”

   Schusler received his first plant from a professor at the University of Illinois, where he was a research assistant. He plans to continue cultivating them.

   “They’re very easy to grow,” he said.

   The Japanese often cultivate them for food. The tubers can be used in noodles, for some jellies or as a sugar-mannose used in diabetic foods.

   “Proper cooking is essential as this plant is in a family of plants, Araceae, that contains toxins,” Schusler said.

   “Little Stinky” has been loaned to the Fort Worth Botanic Gardens. It is on display for those who dare to experience its “charms.”