Titan arum at Paignton Zoo, Devon
Order: Alismatales
Family: Araceae
The plant is native to the steep hillsides of rainforests in western Sumatra, Asia but is cultivated in botanic gardens worldwide, including here at Paignton Zoo. We currently have a plant in its “tree” form stage on-show in our humid Crocodile Swamp exhibit and since 2012, have been fortunate to have seven Titan arum blooms.
Conservation
The Titan arum is under threat in its natural habitat due to land degradation and deforestation. Huge areas of its habitat are logged for timber and to make room for unsustainable palm oil plantations.
Botanic gardens like Paignton Zoo play a vital role in the ex-situ conservation of this endangered plant through efforts to better understand its biology and horticultural requirements.