The Pongapong Flower is one of the largest flowers in the world, with a unique striking appearance. In a closer look, you will find it emitting a foul fragrance, just like rotten meat.
The Pongapong Flower (Amorphophallus campanulatus) has a mutualistic relationship with pollinators, where the flower provides a habitat to insects. In return, insects pollinate the flower.
So, go through this complete article to learn about the amazing Pongapong flower in detail, including its symbolic meanings and uses.
Table of Contents Show
What Does Pongapong Flower Look Like?
The Pongapong flower is a beautiful flower with a flaring spathe surrounding the pointed flower. The spathe is usually green to maroon in color.
This giant flower reaches about 3 feet tall and spreads up to 2 feet wide. The spathe spreads wider, giving it a flower-like appearance.
Moreover, the spathe of this flower also bears a very foul and unpleasant smell. The smell attracts the pollinators like flies and beetles.
This unique flower is native to the Philippines. The flower is very rare, and you can find it in very few areas of this country.
The spadix is covered with male and female flowers and looks like the upper portion of a hat. Due to the hat-like appearance and dark color, this flower is also called Witch’s hat.
Is Pongapong Flower Edible?
The Pongapong flower is edible if you consume the tuber after removing the spathe and spadix.
However, you must consume the tuber only after cooking. It’s because uncooked Pongapong flower is poisonous due to the presence of oxalates.
Upon cooking, the oxalates get destroyed due to the heat and become safe to consume.
This flower is a popular food source in many countries like the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, and many more.
The Pongapong flowers have many culinary and medicinal uses, too. The flavor is nutty and crunchy, and you can consume it steamed, fried or roasted.
Additionally, the Pongapong flower also has cultural uses. In the Philippines, people use this flower in a fertility ritual in a popular festival Ati-Atihan.
Pongapong Flower Meaning And Symbolism
Pongapong flowers have a variety of meanings and symbolism. The large size of the flower indicates abundance and strength.
As the flower is useful in fertility rituals, it is also the symbol of fertility and rebirth. This also indicates hope and new beginnings.
Moreover, the foul smell of the flower represents death. The unique appearance of the flower is a symbol of transformation and creativity.
In the Philippines, people also worship this flower as good luck and prosperity. They believe that the flower can grant them a wealthy lifestyle.
Furthermore, in Indonesia, people believe that the flower removes evil spirits from the surroundings.
From Editorial Team
More About Pongapong Flowers
The Pongapong flower can attract anyone with its unique and striking appearance. Due to the culinary, medicinal and cultural uses, people are overexploiting the flower.
Due to this reason, the flower is becoming a rare and threatened species in the Philippines.
So, whenever you find this beautiful flower, make sure not to destroy it and appreciate the beauty from a distance.
