A rare corpse flower is set to bloom at Bloedel Conservatory in Vancouver!
Known for its putrid bouquet, the tropical plant, native to the equatorial rainforests of Sumatra in Indonesia, is set to bloom any day now. Commonly known as titan arum or corpse flower, it’s the largest flower on earth and is classified as “vulnerable” on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s list of threatened plants. When it blooms, it will unfurl its large flesh-coloured petal and start to emit rancid fumes to attract pollinator insects like carrion beetles and flesh flies that feed on dead animals. Some have described its unmistakable scent as similar to discarded diapers or hot garbage. Corpse blooms are very rare and unpredictable. Bloedel’s specimen is now six years old and showing signs it will bloom imminently: its bud has grown rapidly over the past few weeks, with the flower "spike" rocketing to five feet tall in the last six weeks. And, since it could be another decade before this baby blooms again, the conservatory is extending its hours for a “smell it while you can” experience during the fleeting spectacle, which will last just 24 to 48 hours.
Follow Bloedel Conservatory on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for updates and visit vancouver.ca/corpseflower to help us name the corpse flower and learn more! —Noa Nichol
Bloedel Conservatory, 4500 Cambie St., Vancouver, vancouver.ca
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