©Photo by Elizabeth Peters: https://www.bbg.org/article/a_rare_corpse_flower_blooms
Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever seen a rare flower bloom in real life? If yes, what did it look like? If not, would you like to see one?
- Do you know any flowers that have a strong or unusual smell? Why do you think they smell that way?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- attract /uh-TRAKT/
- occurrence /uh-KUR-uhns/
- process /PROS-es/
- pollination /pol-uh-NEY-shuhn/
- cycle /SAHY-kuhl/
[verb] – to make someone or something come to a place or be interested in something
The bright flowers attract bees to the garden.
[noun] – something that happens
The heavy rain was a common occurrence in summer.
[noun] – a series of changes that happen naturally
The process of turning caterpillars into butterflies involves several natural changes.
[noun] – the act of moving pollen to help plants make seeds
Bees help flowers with pollination by carrying pollen.
[noun] – a series of events that repeat in the same order
The life cycle of a butterfly has four stages.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
A rare Amorphophallus gigas flower bloomed at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden for the first time since its arrival in 2018. This unusual event attracted many visitors eager to witness the rare occurrence. The plant, closely related to the Amorphophallus titanum, also known as the corpse flower, is native to Sumatra and emits a strong odor similar to decomposing flesh. The bloom, consisting of hundreds of male and female flowers inside a large structure, began showing signs of flowering around New Year’s Eve. The flowering process is highly sporadic, often taking several years to happen again. A similar event occurred at the Royal Botanic Garden in Sydney, Australia, where an Amorphophallus titanum blossomed for the first time in 15 years. The plant grew from 25 centimeters in December to 1.6 meters by late January, releasing an odor compared to decaying organic matter.
The blooming of the Amorphophallus gigas follows a complex biological process designed to attract carrion beetles and flesh flies for pollination. The plant uses thermogenesis, producing heat to intensify its odor, ensuring pollinators detect the scent from afar. This rare event holds ecological significance, offering researchers insights into the reproductive cycle of endangered plants. However, the unpredictable blooming complicates conservation efforts. Experts stress the importance of protecting these species in botanical gardens to mitigate habitat destruction.
The blooming of the Amorphophallus gigas follows a complex biological process designed to attract carrion beetles and flesh flies for pollination. The plant uses thermogenesis, producing heat to intensify its odor, ensuring pollinators detect the scent from afar. This rare event holds ecological significance, offering researchers insights into the reproductive cycle of endangered plants. However, the unpredictable blooming complicates conservation efforts. Experts stress the importance of protecting these species in botanical gardens to mitigate habitat destruction.
Comprehension questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- Where did the rare Amorphophallus gigas bloom for the first time?
- When did the plant start showing signs of flowering?
- What kind of smell does the Amorphophallus gigas produce?
- How tall did the plant grow by late January?
- Which insects does the flower attract for pollination?
Discussion questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever seen a very tall or large flower? If yes, where did you see it? If not, would you want to see one?
- If you were a scientist studying rare flowers, what would you want to discover about them?
- Do you agree that rare flowers should be protected in botanical gardens?
- What could happen if rare plants like this are not protected?
- Why do you think some flowers only bloom after many years?