Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
amorphophallus

amorphophallus

9.9
A large plant from warm countries with a big flower that often smells like rotting meat
  • noun
  • /əˌmɔrfoʊˈfæləs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : amorfófilo
  • The corpse flower is a famous member of the amorphophallus genus.

Examples

  • The amorphophallus attracted crowds when it bloomed at the botanical garden.

  • Some species of amorphophallus are cultivated for their unusual flowers and curious scent.

  • The amorphophallus bloomed in the botanical garden.

  • Many tourists came to see the amorphophallus this spring.

  • The amorphophallus is famous for its enormous flower, which can grow up to ten feet tall.

  • Many tourists visit the botanical garden to see the rare amorphophallus, known for its foul odor.

  • The unique shape and size of the amorphophallus make it a fascinating subject for plant enthusiasts.

Compounds

Amorphophallus campanulatus
  • Specialized
9.9

A large tropical plant from Southeast Asia that has a strong bad smell and farmers grow for its edible root

Amorphophallus paeonifolius
  • Specialized
9.9

A tropical plant with a large edible tuber used as food and a strong bad-smelling flower

Amorphophallus rivieri
  • Specialized
9.9

A tropical plant with a strong smell, a large dark red flower and edible underground bulbs

Amorphophallus titanum
  • Specialized
9.9

A very large tropical plant with a huge flower that smells like rotting meat

genus Amorphophallus
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of large tropical East Asian plants with underground roots and strange, smelly flowers, including the corpse flower

Surface Forms

amorphophallus singular
amorphophalli plural

Morphology

amorphophallus = morph + phallus (opaque) = a + morph + phallus

The word is derived from Greek roots, and its meaning is not transparent to English speakers without specialized botanical knowledge.

Etymology

Amorphophallus comes from Greek parts a- 'not', morpho- 'shape', and phallus 'penis'. So the name points to a plant with a strange, 'formless' body and a large central spike that looks like a phallus, which helps explain its odd flower and strong smell.