Arum plant spadix. Light micrograph of a vertical section through the spadix from a lords and ladies plant (Arum maculatum). The top part of the spadix (right), which produces the carrion smell that attracts flies, has been separated from the base (left). The spathe, which encloses the spadix, has been removed. The bottom of the spadix has female flowering parts (carpels) at its base (lower left). Above these are the male flowering parts (stamens, centre left) that produce the pollen. The carpels mature first and are pollinated by small flies carrying pollen from other A. maculatum flowers. These flies are then trapped by the hairs (upper left) above the stamens. The stamens shed their pollen and this covers the flies. When the hairs wither, the flies escape and pollinate more A. maculatum flowers.