Corpse Flower

The Botanical Garden is a buzz with anticipation for the bloom of the Corpse Flower!  There is even a live stream for this spectacular and rare event. It is sure to bloom sometime this week.

The titan arum (Amorphophallus titanum), also known as the corpse flower or stinky plant. Once in bloom it has the aroma of rotting flesh to attract the insects necessary to pollinate.  This has no sure time cycle, it could be seven years or twenty years to fruition. So, needless to say this is a special happening! Once fully open the bloom only lasts for 24 to 48 hours, and then it wither, collapse and be finished.

We checked it out yesterday and it is a magnificent flower. It would conjures memories of Seymour from the outrageous horror comedy rock musical Little Shop of Horrors! We were told that the plant actually grew five inches over night! As you can see my son, seen here with my dear friend Laura, was equipped with his giant clothespin just in case!