For only the second time in just over a year, an Amorphophallus titanum, commonly referred to as the corpse flower because of its stench, bloomed at the UW-Madison Botany Greenhouse July 31.
A collection of flowers within the plant's spadix emits a smell similar to that of rotting flesh as the plant heats up from within. The odor is believed to attract animals that pollinate the bloom.
Aside from its distinctive smell, the plant captures attention because of its enormity. In the days leading up to blooming, the plant grew up to several inches a day, reaching a peak height of 68 inches July 30. The spadix collapsed under its own weight Aug. 2.
During its 40-year life span the plant may flower only two or three times.
\I couldn't believe it when I saw it,"" said Mohammed Fayyaz, director of the UW-Madison Botany Greenhouse. ""I talked to it. I said, 'You're a leaf. You're not going to be a flower. You're a leaf.' But it's a flower!""
In addition to viewing and smelling the plant in person, plant-lovers worldwide could also access live pictures of the plant via a Web cam set up in the greenhouse.
