Fascinating Reproduction: The reproductive organ of the Tree Philodendron consists of a spadix grown at the center of a reproductive layer called the spathe. The spathe is sometimes mistaken to be a flower, but it is really a modified leaf that serves to protect the spadix. The spadix is divided into three sections: fertile male flowers at the tip, sterile male flowers at the center, and fertile female flowers toward the end of the flower chamber. The sterile male flowers in the midsection serve to prevent self-fertilization and to produce heat. Pollination is done by a Cyclocephala beetle species. The sterile male flowers produce and maintain a constant temperature that is 34 °C (93.2F) above that of the environment during the two days the entire flower structure is open by burning stored fatty tissue. The main reason for raising and maintaining the flower’s temperature is for volatilizing and dispersing insect attracting odors. The constant high heat production increases the distance that the scent can be picked up by the beetle, and increases the probability of pollination. Additionally, the heat creates a hospitable climate that helps to stimulate beetle activity once it is inside the flower and induce them to mate (this being a favorable temperature for them to do so). This will also increase the probability of pollination as they linger inside it. T. bipinnatifidum is cultivated as a landscape plant in many tropical, subtropical and warm temperate countries including the Philippines, throughout Australia, the gulf coast and east coast of the United States, including Florida and California, and in South Africa and northern New Zealand. It is grown as a houseplant in cool temperate regions. Under the synonym Philodendron bipinnatifidum it has gained the Royal Horticultural Society‘s Award of Garden Merit.[2][4]Ref. Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thaumatophyllum_bipinnatifidum
GOD in my garden 