Researchers have begun to answer that question for a few of the thermogenic plants.

Thermogenic plants have the ability to raise their temperature above that of the surrounding air.

This theory is less supported, because most thermogenic plants are found in tropical climates.

Most thermogenic plants tend to be rather large.

This is why thermogenic plants release pungent odors to attract flies.

Thermogenic plants are found in a variety of families, but Araceae in particular contains many such species.

Thermogenic plants are also protogynous.

One of a rare group of thermogenic plants, the Dead Horse Arum can raise its temperature by thermogenesis.

It occurs mostly in warm-blooded animals, but a few species of thermogenic plants exist, such as the Eastern skunk cabbage and the Voodoo lily.

Like other thermogenic plants, the philodendrons undergo an alternative type of respiration, in which their mitochondria produce heat instead of the energy-storing compound A.T.P.

Most scientists are not completely sure why thermogenic plants generate large amounts of excess heat, but most will agree that it has something to do with increasing pollination rates.