Amorphophallus konjac (Konjac)

Native to Yunnan in southwestern China, this herbaceous perennial grows from an underground tuber in forest margins, thickets and secondary forests. A single, highly divided leaf expands above a mottled stalk, giving it the appearance of a small tree. Mature plants produce their flower structure before the leaf emerges: a tall spadix surrounded by a dark maroon to purple-brown spathe. Its strong odor resembles decaying flesh and attracts carrion flies that pollinate the flowers. The tuber is processed into konjac flour and jelly in Asian food production; it can be toxic when raw. Photographed in Colombia.