By SDCN Editor
Encinitas, CA–One of San Diego Botanic Garden’s most popular attractions, the rare corpse flower, is in full bloom this week in North County.
The corpse flower only blooms every four or five years, and the fully opened bloom lasts just for 48 hours before it fades. The plant is named after its foul-smelling scent, which fanatics have deemed the ‘smell of death.’
“The corpse flower is the rock star of the plant world,” said San Diego Botanic Garden president and CEO, Ari Novy. “It is taking center stage today with its incredible bloom and stench. We couldn’t be more excited for everyone to come see this amazing plant in its full glory, but hurry up! It’s a short show.”
The corpse flower, also known as Amorphophallus titanum, is endemic to the rainforests of Sumatra, Indonesia. The actual flowers of the plant are not the impressive, feet-tall struction now on display, but small flowers housed inside the base of the bloom spike’s outer casing. Both male and female flowers grow on the same bloom spike. The female flowers open first, and then, a day or two afterward, the male flowers open. The timing prevents the plant from self-pollinating. The corpse flower is an endangered plant with fewer than 1,000 plants remaining in the wild.
The garden will be open for visitors to view the rare corpse flower plant from 9 am to 9 pm Monday and Tuesday.
For those who cannot make the in-person event, a livestream of the bloom’s development is available on the botanic garden’s website.