Our corpse flower

[Bub]

https://fox2now.com/2019/07/01/corpse-flower-to-bloom-at-missouri-botanical-garden/

We also have a corpse flower cam:
https://livestream.com/accounts/20357806/events/8730969

 

[Brewdude]

I recall seeing one at Kew Gardens in greater London some years ago. It had bloomed a few days earlier but didn't have any aroma when I was there. Very impressive size though!


Cheers,

RR

 

[Ozark Wizard]

Yup. They're huge too!

 

[Stick]

Tell me more, Bub. What on earth is it?! I'm guessing 'corpse' because it pen and inks?

 

[Bub]

Here is the explanation:

Corpse flower or titan-arum (Amorphophallus titanum) is native to the island of Sumatra in Indonesia. Its enormous flower spike is the largest unbranched inflorescence (flower structure) in the Plant Kingdom.

Due to its odor, which is like the smell of a rotting corpse or carcass, the titan arum is characterized as a carrion flower, and is also known as the corpse flower or corpse plant (Indonesian: bunga bangkai – bunga means flower, while bangkai can be translated as corpse, cadaver, or carrion).

Carrion flowers, also known as corpse flowers or stinking flowers, are flowers that emit an odor that smells like rotting flesh. Carrion flowers attract mostly scavenging flies and beetles as pollinators. Some species may trap the insects temporarily to ensure the gathering and transfer of pollen.

It only gets worse:

Cadaverine and putrescine smell like rotting flesh. Skatole has a strong feces odor. Indole has a mustier, mothball-like smell. Hydrogen sulfide smells like rotten eggs.

 

[eggman]

My last couple trips to St. Louis the wife and I have talked about going to the gardens but haven’t madd it there yet. Everyone I’ve talked to about the place have said it’s beautiful there. Seems like I always end up at the Budweiser brewery.

 

[huffelpuff]

They are spectacular to see but I will pass on the aroma. I worked with enough rotting corpses in my job I really don't need to relive the smell.

I will be keeping an eye on the flower cam though. Thanks for the heads up!

Jim

 

[Blackhorse]

Sincere congrats on your fine corpse...thing.

 

[Ozark Wizard]

They are spectacular to see but I will pass on the aroma. I worked with enough rotting corpses in my job I really don't need to relive the smell.

I will be keeping an eye on the flower cam though. Thanks for the heads up!

Jim

Yah, they don't smell great. :no:

 

[eggman]

I’ve been watching the live feed at night just to check on the flower. I just opened the live feed a few minutes ago and WOW! Compared to the women that walked by it that thing is huge. I had no idea it was that big. Big flower Big stink.