Heat production in the voodoo lily (Sauromatum guttatum) as monitored by infrared thermography

• Published in: Plant physiology (Bethesda) Vol. 95; no. 4; pp. 1084 - 1088
• Main Authors: Skubatz, H. (University of Washington, Seattle, WA), Nelson, T.A, Meeuse, B.J.D, Bendich, A.J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Rockville, MD American Society of Plant Physiologists 01.04.1991
• Subjects: Ambient temperature; ARACEAE; Biological and medical sciences; Female flowers; FLORACION; FLORAISON; FOTOGRAFIA; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; INFLORESCENCE; Inflorescences; INFLORESCENCIAS; Male flowers; Membranes and Bioenergetics; Metabolism; Metabolism. Physicochemical requirements; Oxygen; PHOTOGRAPHIE; Plant physiology and development; RESPIRACION; RESPIRATION; Surface temperature; TEMPERATURA; TEMPERATURE; TERMOGRAFIA; TERMORREGULACION; Thermogenesis; THERMOGRAPHIE; Thermography; THERMOREGULATION; Voodoo; Infrared thermography; Salicylic acid; Monocotyledones; Inflorescence; Heat production; Cyanides; Resistance; Thermogenesis; Araceae; Angiospermae; Spermatophyta; Developmental stage; Respiration
• ISSN: 0032-0889; 1532-2548
• DOI: 10.1104/pp.95.4.1084

The pattern of surface temperatures of the inflorescence of Sauromatum guttatum was investigated by using an infrared camera. The male flowers are weakly thermogenic on the first day of inflorescence opening (D-day) as well as on the next day (D + 1), reaching 0.5 to 1 degree C above ambient temperature. The appendix (the upper sterile part of the inflorescence) is highly thermogenic on D-day, reaching 32 degrees C, and is faintly thermogenic on D + 1, reaching 1 degree C above ambient temperature. The lower part of the spadix, close to the female flowers, is also thermogenic on D-day and D + 1, reaching a temperature similar to that of the appendix only on D + 1. Salicylic acid does not induce heat production in the lower part of the spadix, as it does in the appendix. Respiration of tissue slices obtained from the appendix shows that the capacity for cyanide-insensitive respiration is present in young and mature appendices. This alternative respiratory pathway is not, however, utilized in young appendix tissue, but is engaged during the maturation of that tissue