SAN MARINO (CNS) – Crowds were continuing to gather Friday at The Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens, where another “Corpse Flower” is nearing an odiferous bloom.
The bloom, which typically lasts just 24-48 hours, is one of the rarest and shortest-lived spectacles in the plant world. It’s unclear exactly when the bloom will occur, releasing the flower’s notorious stench, but museum officials said it will likely occur before the end of the month.
The Amorphophallus titanum is known for its towering height and infamous odor. Native to limestone hills in the rainforests of western Sumatra, Indonesia, the plant is endangered in the wild and blooms infrequently, according to The Huntington.
The plant can grow to as much as 12 feet tall, blooming only once every two to three years, and emitting a powerful stench when it does.
Visitors can view (and smell) the plant, nicknamed Green Boy, during regular public hours. A 24-hour live-stream will also be available at huntington.org/corpse-flower. According to The Huntington’s website, the plant has grown 30 inches in height in the past eight days, now measuring 55.5 inches.
“A Corpse Flower bloom is one of nature’s most extraordinary events — and a rare opportunity to spark curiosity about plants and highlight The Huntington’s conservation mission,” said Nicole Cavender, the Telleen/Jorgensen Director of the Botanical Gardens. “Every bloom connects visitors to the incredible diversity of the plant world and underscores our work here — through horticulture, research, education, and conservation efforts — to protect endangered species and their habitats.”
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