Temperature Regulation by the Inflorescence of Philodendron

1972/12/15 by Kenneth A. Nagy, Daniel K. Odell, Roger S. Seymour · 7 citations
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · #Essential Oils and Antimicrobial Activity #Lepidoptera: Biology and Taxonomy #Inflorescence #Biology #Araceae #Botany

paper · doi:10.1126/science.178.4066.1195

openalex publication_date 1972/12/15 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/23

Abstract

The inflorescence of Philodendron selloum temporarily maintains a core temperature of 38 degrees to 46 degrees C, despite air temperatures ranging from 4 degrees to 39 degrees C, by means of a variable metabolic rate. The heat is produced primarily by small, sterile male flowers that are capable of consuming oxygen at rates approaching those of flying hummingbirds and sphinx moths.

Cited by

• The Hot and the Classic
• Zonal thermogenetic dynamics of two species of Philodendron from two different subgenera (Araceae)
• A Revision of Philodendron Subgenus Meconostigma (Araceae)
• Respiration of thermogenic inflorescences of Philodendron melinonii: natural pattern and responses to experimental temperatures
• Olfactory and Visual Attraction of Erioscelis emarginata (Cyclocephalini, Dynastinae) to the Inflorescences of Philodendron selloum (Araceae)
• Philodendron [wikipedia]
• Thermoregulation [wikipedia]