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Wisconsin Corpse Plant To Bloom Again

Posted by Zonk on from the wisconsin-has-the-best-stuff dept.

V_IL_Len writes "The University of Wisconsin's original Amorphophallus titanum, or 'corpse plant' known as Big Bucky is ready to bloom and emit its intensely malodorous stench. The plant only blooms a few times in its 40 year life span and each bloom lasts only 2-3 days. Its stench attracts carrion beetles and flesh flies to pollinate it. See this link for photos and live stream of the bloom."

7 of 231 comments (clear)

  1. San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers by matt.jones · · Score: 4, Informative

    One of these just bloomed in SF - I wasn't able to make it, but apparently it was interesting (if you're into that sort of thing). Read about it here

  2. For those who want to grow their own by BiggyP · · Score: 4, Informative

    There's always ebay
    http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ca tegory=42207&item=4386828334
    http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ca tegory=20524&item=4387196761

    --
    Software Freedom Day!.
  3. Happened last year, too by mattOzan · · Score: 4, Informative

    An Amorphophallus titanum named "Tabitha the Titan" bloomed last August at University of California, Davis. Two more, "Ted" & "Tammy," are expected to bloom again this summer. That's a whole lot of stink.

  4. Re:oh. my. god. by BiggyP · · Score: 2, Informative

    Well, if you want something with a similarly hellish scent and appearance but of a slightly smaller stature, maybe you should try one of these

    --
    Software Freedom Day!.
  5. Why is this news? by NaruVonWilkins · · Score: 3, Informative

    Several universities across the country have many of these plants - the University of Washington has several, such that there's a bloom at least every year or two.

  6. Why is this news? by TitusC3v5 · · Score: 2, Informative

    Virginia Tech has the same thing, and I'm sure many more do as well.

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    And the masses cried out, "09 F9 11 02 9D 74 E3 5B D8 41 56 C5 63 56 88 C0!"
  7. Here's Why This One Is Special by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

    After seeing far too many posts asking why this is news considering their local arboretum has had one bloom, too, and not seeing it properly explained in the links, I thought I'd explain.

    Big Bucky is special because it may very well set a new world's record for largest flower (inflorescence, actually). When it last bloomed in 2001, it fell just a few inches shy of the then record which had stood since 1932 (though the record now is held by a 2003 plant in Bonn) and as of a week ago was well on its way to challenging the record.

    So while it is true that a few bloom in the U.S. every year now since botanists have found them to really draw a crowd (and donations), that doesn't mean this one isn't special. The bottom line is that my corpse plant can beat up your corpse plant. So there!