There are two words that I think we can all agree on that do not belong together and they are as follows: corpse and flower. And yet corpse flowers are not just one thing, they are a huge thing. The Amorphophallus titanum or “corpse flower” is a giant flower that, when blooming, gives off an odor reminiscent of rotting flesh. Corpse flowers are nature’s most fascinating, and if you’re lucky there might be one near you – almost every state has one. Even if you don’t, there is some way you can see a bloom in the next few days and we encourage you to do so.
What the hell is a corpse flower?
Corpse flowers are known as the largest flowering plant in the world. It is a tropical plant native to western Sumatra, Indonesia, and has a life expectancy of 30-40 years. The “spadix” or block tube center can hold up to 15 feet tall, and the leaves become nearly 13 feet wide. The outside is green, like any flower bulb, and the leaves (or petals) are generally dark red or burgundy. The massive flower is part of the Araceae family and is related to smaller plants such as philodendrons, calla lilies, and peace lilies. They also belong to the same family as skunk cabbage (big surprise).
They bloom every seven to ten years on average, and when it does bloom it will only do so once that year. As soon as the flower opens, it gives off a strong, pungent odor that is supposed to be reminiscent of decaying flesh or “flesh” (hence “corpse”). Beth Skwarecki, Senior Health Editor at Lifehacker, recalls that the smell was more like “warm garbage” and compares the experience to “walking past a really mature dumpster on a summer day”.
Why does a corpse flower smell like garbage?
After the planting site Tree hugger, the scientific name of the plant, Amorphophallus titanum, is ancient Greek and means “huge, misshapen phallus”. The giant phallus is just that and is said to attract insects to pollinate its species. The pungent smell attracts insects like dung beetles and meat flies, which feed on dead or rotting material.
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Flower grower Tim Pollak spoke with Live science about the rare plant, adding, “Corpse flowers can also heat up to 36.7 degrees Celsius to further fool the insects,” meaning the plant is mimicking a rotting human in order to survive.
Where can I find a corpse flower?
Corpse flowers are an endangered species, which is why you likely won’t see them on your average hike or have never heard of them before. Though rare, they host – and name – many states and conservatories.
The San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers “Terra the Titan”Bloomed in 2017 and again in 2020. Another corpse flower bloomed last month at the USA Botanical Gardens in Washington, DC, and a corpse flower in Pittsburgh called “Romero” already bloomed in 2016. While there is no dedicated website for tracking corpse flowers in the United States, this is it Wikipedia site has a list of published blooms across the country.
How to see a corpse flower live as it blooms
The Huntington Botanical Gardens in San Marino, California eagerly await the blooming of their corpse flower, which is due every day. The flower – appropriately named “Stankosaurus Rex“- Towers an incredible 82 inches high. There is no telling how high it will be when it blooms, but staff and visitors are excited about this momentous occasion. You can get the bloom on The. follow Live feed from the Huntington Conservatory here.
The live stream will run for the days before the flower opens and will continue throughout the flowering period. So check back often to see Stankosaurus Rex in all of its stinking glory.
