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Plants in the genus Stapelia are also called "carrion flowers". They are small, spineless, cactus-like succulent plants. Most species are native to South Africa, and are grown as potted plants elsewhere. The flowers of all species are hairy to varying degrees. The color and smell of the flowers both mimic rotting meat. This attracts scavenging ...
The decomposition of food, either plant or animal, called spoilage in this context, is an important field of study within food science. Food decomposition can be slowed down by conservation . The spoilage of meat occurs, if the meat is untreated, in a matter of hours or days and results in the meat becoming unappetizing, poisonous or infectious.
Not long after the animal has died, its body will begin to exude a foul odor caused by the presence of bacteria and the emission of cadaverine and putrescine. Some plants and fungi smell like decomposing carrion and attract insects that aid in reproduction. Plants that exhibit this behavior are known as carrion flowers.
The nasty smell attracts flies and when the pesky insects land on the oozy mushroom, the spores for the fungi attach to their feet and are off to be spread into nature.
Thermogenic plants are also protogynous, meaning that the female part of the plant matures before the male part of the same plant. This reduces inbreeding considerably, as such a plant can be fertilized only by pollen from a different plant. This is why thermogenic plants release pungent odors to attract pollinating insects.
Plants are able to respond to these mating cues and change adjustable floral phenotypes that can affect plant pollination and mating. Floral volatiles can ward off or attract pollinators/mates all at once. Depending on the number of floral signals released by a plant can control the level of attracting/repelling the plant wants.
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These insects do not feed directly on the decomposing remains or its fluids, but are considered to be the second most forensically important ecological role. [ 3 ] [ 7 ] Predators of necrophagous insects include species from the Coleoptera families Silphidae (carrion beetles) and Staphylinidae (rove beetles). [ 3 ]