Rare Corpse Plant to be on Display in Springfield

[Violet]

The rare Amorphophallus titanum - commonly known as the Corpse Plant for its horrible stench when blooming... (full article)

'On August 2, 1999 an Amorphophallus titanum achieved full bloom at the Huntington Botanic Garden in San Marino, California. This was only the 11th recorded bloom in the United States and the first ever in California. Equally astonishing was the number of people who came to visit this magnificent plant on the peak day of its blooming period, over 10,000 admirers. They waited patiently in a long line in 80-90 degree heat, a line that at one time extended the length of two football fields (or about 200 meters). Some people wore protective nose masks, and one boy even wore a gas mask. Actually, no one was overcome by the stench (the plant was roped off to prevent people from getting their faces too close to the funnel-shaped spathe).'

[kefirmaven]

I often wish I had one, right on my fence line gassing out the redneck jerk neighbors who have brought havoc to the block with their drug dealing, mayhem, and other unpleasantries.

[deciduousLychees]

Originally Posted by kefirmaven

I often wish I had one

How about some cousins? Looks like someone's got a pretty big relative. Says it's hardy to z5, don't think I buy that though. I think I saw the real deal in one store once, but I'm not sure; aroids really aren't my thing (wouldn't mind giving Amorphophallus konjac a try though).

[lorna-organic]

The stench from the flowers of such plants is incredibly awful. Blow flies are attracted to the odor which causes pollination.

[Cliff Timmons]

It was at the Garden show as well.

[springfever]

I saw it at the garden show. It is just starting to open so now stench yet.
I haven't been able to get online since the garden show. My computer is acting goofy.
Anyway, great show. great weekend. loved it!!

[AcidRain23]

I found a pic!

[Violet]

From: www.friendsofthegarden.org
For Southwest Missouri Garden Events Look Here


'Audrey' The CORPSE FLOWER is on DISPLAY 8am-6pm RARE PLANT EXHIBIT

March 3
The plant, now affectionately known as 'Audrey', has grown since the last report. As of 4:30 yesterday the plant was 53 inches high and 27.5 inches around. Yesterday it didn't grow so Bill thinks it might be in the process of starting to open. Dr Roston is now thinking Audrey could bloom as soon as this coming weekend.

March 5
As of 7:00 pm last night, our baby 'Audrey' again has not gained any height past 53 inches but has picked up some circumference around the middle and is now 29 inches in girth. More importantly, according to Dr Bill Roston, the Corpse Plant '...is starting to stink like a dead rat!' He thinks that it could bloom this weekend. Stay tuned!

'Audrey' Could Bloom This Weekend: Rare-and Stinky-Corpse Plant On Display Now With New Extended Hours at Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park

You can't control nature, says William Roston, the Friends of the Garden member who has been 'babysitting' Audrey, the rare-and stinky-corpse plant that has bloomed in the U.S. approximately 40 times since 1939. But there are indications that Audrey could bloom this weekend, Saturday-Sunday, March 6-7, so visiting hours have been extended from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm at the community meeting room at Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park, located at 2400 South Scenic Avenue across from Horton Smith Golf Course.

'There is no way to know for sure when Audrey will bloom,' said Friends of the Garden president George Deatz, 'but we are attempting to keep the public notified because the corpse plant's bloom only lasts from 24 to 48 hours.' That latest update can always be found at www.friendsofthegarden.org.

Named 'Audrey' after the voracious and fast-growing plant in the 1960 rock musical, 'The Little Shop of Horrors,' Amorphophallus titanum grows in the wild only on the island of Sumatra and blooms every six to ten years. Titanum is known for its erratic, lush growth and the putrid fragrance of its blossoming flower that, Roston says, 'smells like a dead rat and could make a fly vomit.'

Roston, an osteopath who practices in Forsyth and serves as primary garden designer for the Friends of the Garden, brought the 35-pound tuber to Springfield in November 2009. It's been dormant until about six or seven weeks ago when it started growing. . .and growing. For the past few days, he's been 'babysitting Bill's baby' at the park, noting its growth and answering visitors' questions about what-he-calls 'the plant from Mars.'

'Certainly it's the superstar of the plant kingdom. Everything about it is dynamite,' said Roston. Added Deatz, 'this is quite an event for Springfield. It's a rare blooming flower with few on display in the U.S.'

About the Friends of the Garden: The volunteer organization has been active since 1998 in pursuing funding and encouraging interest in building the 12,700-square-foot Botanical Center now under construction in the 114-acre Nathanael Greene/Close Memorial Park, 2400 South Scenic Avenue. The facility is expected to be completed in September 2010. Tax-deductible annual memberships and contributions to the Friends of the Garden Growth and Maintenance Fund can be made to the Community Foundation of the Ozarks or sent to the group at P.O. Box 8566, Springfield MO 65801. The web site is www.friendsofthegarden.org.

Directions: For a map with a marker directly over the exact
building where the plant is being displayed, look here.

To learn more about the plant from National Geographic, look here.

[winter_unfazed]

I remember hearing about one blooming in California during the spring or early summer of 2000. Everyone was excited about it, and people were said to be lining up to smell the blossom.