Helicodiceros

Helicodiceros muscivorus, the dead horse arum lily, is an ornamental plant native to Corsica, Sardinia and the Balearic Islands. It is the only species in the genus Helicodiceros. Within the family Araceae the plant is part of the subfamily Aroideae.

The flowers of H. muscivorus smell like rotting meat, attracting carrion-seeking blow flies which act as pollinators. The composition of the volatiles is similar to that of carrion. The main compounds are dimethyl disulfide and dimethyl trisulfide. One of a rare group of thermogenic plants, the dead horse arum can raise its temperature by thermogenesis. This helps to lure flies into the plant to contact its pollen. The plant still is being studied for the way it is able to produce its own heat without being necessarily dependent of ambient temperature.