World's Largest (And Smelliest) Flower Blooming

Bob Plankers writes: "It seems that the world's largest and smelliest flower is about to bloom for the 12th recorded time in captivity. The Amorphophallus titanum ("Titan Arum"), or corpseflower, stands up to ten feet high and when it blooms it emits a putrid odor, not unlike that of corpses. The University of Wisconsin -- Madison Botany Department is home to this rare bloom." Better jet for Madison for this rare opportunity.

Comments

At the the other UW too

[diaphanous]

We also have one blooming in the greenhouse at the University of Washington as well. I believe that the two Universities are planning on mating the two plants together.

Re:At the the other UW too

[Multispin]

And ours bloomed last year too:)

Re:At the the other UW too

[uk_greg]

The Atlanta Botanical Garden (http://www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org) also has (had?) one of these. I believe it last bloomed in 1998.

Their web site unfortunately doesn't seem to contain any information on it, though.

Re:12 in the US, not the world

[EasyTarget]

I imagine quite a few have bloomed in their original habitat too.. ;)

Now, to ensure genetic diversity, and continuation of the species a signifigent number will need to do this at the same time. Imagine the smell as you wander about the forest.

EZ

In Tampa FL there is another one blooming

[Cobol^GOD]

Here abouts in Tampa at some botany museum.. There is another one blooming... smells ugly.. looks ugly.. and is just the worlds largest flower :)

And afterwards...

[Zaphod B]

And after the bloom withers (side note: if it smells like a corpse while in full bloom, what must it smell like while the blossom rots?), the attendees will celebrate with a feast of durian.

Zaphod B

Re:And afterwards...

[chaobell]

Whoever first discovered that the durian was edible had to have been really, really hungry to try it.

"I'm starving!"
"Me too. No animals, no bananas, no nothing."
"Might as well try the spikystinkyfruit."

I claim this Last Post in the name of Spain

[jerkface]

although I seriously doubt they want it.

--

Marketing Smelly Stuff

[lord_ashaman]

Well reading this article really does get me thinking. If a Bunch of Scientits can sell T-Shirts, Coffee Mugs etc which are based around a plant which smells like a decompossing corpse, maybe my dream can finally be realiesed
::Que Sappy Marketing Campaign::
"Here at Ashamans dunny welcome you to the 5th annual Dunny Bloom. Now in 5 Mins the Door will open and The Toilet will be in full bloom"
::sounds of toilet flushing::
"Ahhh Theres a ripper!!"
"Look at that bloom everyone thats the best one we've had for years, the overflow is so...intense!"
Hey if they Can market a Flower which smells like a dead body, why cant i market a Overflowing toilet???
--------------

"Passion Rules Reason." Blood of the Fold

12 in the US, not the world

[siliconowl]

It seems that the world's largest and smelliest flower is about to bloom for the 12th recorded time in captivity.

Not quite, it is blooming for the 12th recorded time in the US. A similar specimin flowered in Kew Gardens (UK) during the August of 1999. I don't imagine it has been the only one outside the US either.

To go or not to go

[drodver]

I've been debating if I should go see this flower or not. I live in Madison and could easily go down there but it sounds suspiciously like the plot or Little Shop of Horrors.

Feed me Seymour, feed me!

yes

[pocket heston]

i agree
--

no

[pocket heston]

i disagree
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Purpose of other rotten flesh flowers/plants

[flewp]

On UW Madison's site, it says the point of the smell is to attract flies/bugs/etc to help pollinate (I think that's the right term, plants aren't my speciality). What I'd be interested to know is, are there any carnivorous plants out there that use the same dead flesh smell technique to capture prey? Also, why bother going to Madison? My car trunk smells of rotti - er, that's another story.