Interesting. It seems it would be very detrimental to the plant and slightly detrimental to the animal if large animals could not distinguish the flower from real rotten flesh. Possibly one strong chemical and the lack of other associated decomposition chemicals tells large carrion eaters that it is a false signal, while flies don't process the information as well. Around here, paw paws are pollinated by carrion flies and friends hang chicken necks on the branches to attract pollinators. Tim > -----Original Message----- > From: pbs [mailto:pbs-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of James Waddick > Sent: Friday, July 22, 2016 10:48 AM > To: Pacific Bulb Society > Subject: Re: [pbs] Dracunculus and Dogs > > And Turkey Vultures… > > A few years ago we had 3 or 4 Dracunculus in bloom at the same > time. We noticed a Turkey Vulture circling overhead - lower and lower. > Eventually one of them sort of crash landed near the clump, but took off right > away. > > We were pretty certain he was targeting the Dracunculus even from > high in the sky. > > Jim W. > > > > Some time ago I mentioned something about the rotting meat smell of > dracunculus when in bloom and how odd it was that dogs totally ignored it. > > Someone did offer an explanation but I cannot find it. > > Anyone? An explanation / theory / suggestion - scientific or otherwise? > > It's academic, in any case, as after years and years of dracunculus in my > garden it failed to show up this year. > > Judy in New Jersey where summer has definitely arrive, hot and mostly humid > Dr. James Waddick > 8871 NW Brostrom Rd > Kansas City, MO 64152-2711 > USA > Phone 816-746-1949 > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > pbs mailing list > pbs@lists.ibiblio.org > http://pacificbulbsociety.org/list.php > http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/ _______________________________________________ pbs mailing list pbs@lists.ibiblio.org http://pacificbulbsociety.org/list.php http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/