5 Aroid Facts You (Probably) Didn’t Know

The aroid world is full of weird and wonderful surprises. Here are five lesser-known facts about our favourite plants:

1.  Some Aroids can generate heat

Certain aroids like Philodendron selloum and Amorphophallus titanum can thermogenically heat up their spadix to release scent compounds and attract pollinators. This self-heating process can raise the temperature by as much as 15°C above ambient air!

2. Aroids can be found on every continent except Antarctica

While most people associate aroids with tropical jungles, some members of the Araceae family have adapted to incredibly diverse environments — from the Himalayas to Mediterranean cliffs. Arum italicum, for example, thrives in temperate woodlands of Europe.

3. Your Pothos may never flower

Chances are you’ve never spotted your Golden Pothos in bloom. That’s because it needs to reach a significant level of maturity, something rarely achieved indoors.

4. Aroids are very ancient plants

Fossils suggest the Araceae family has existed for over 70 million years, dating back to the late Cretaceous period.

5. Some Aroids grow in ant nests in the wild

Anthurium gracile and some other epiphytic aroids are known to grow in ant gardens — natural debris nests built in trees by ants. The ants protect the plant from predators, while the plant benefits from their nutrient-rich waste.

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