The infrared radiation emitted from the surface of inflorescences of 12 aroid species was monitored with an infrared camera, capable of 0.1°C resolution, and the data were converted to temperature values by means of temperature reference standards. Images representing surface temperatures were obtained forAmorphophallus bulbiferBlume,A. campanulatusBlume,A. forbesiiEngl. et Gehrm.,A. rivieriDur.,Philodendron selloumKoch,Monstera deliciosaLiebm.,Dracunculus vulgarisSchott,Arum italicumMill.,A. dioscoridisSibth.,A. creticumBoiss et Heldr.,Caladiumsp., andRemusatia viviparaSchott. These images were different among species with respect to temperature, duration of detectable heat development, and organ type (male and female flowers, spathe and appendix) found to be thermogenic. All these species, however, exhibited three common characteristics: 1) production of heat by the male flowers; 2) pollen-shedding immediately after heat production had ceased; and 3) when male flowers were some distance away from female flowers along the spadix, heat was not detected in female flowers. Heat emission was associated with the alternative, cyanide-insensitive pathway that was fully operative
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