[COLUMBUS, OH – July 2, 2024] The Columbus Park Conservatory is eagerly anticipating the bloom of the rare and infamous corpse flower, which hasn’t bloomed in four years. To accommodate the expected influx of visitors, the Conservatory will have extended viewing hours from Monday to Wednesday, July 1-3, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. It is recommended to reserve tickets in advance. General admission tickets grant access to all exhibitions, including the corpse flower, with no additional fee.
As of the Tuesday, July 2 morning update, the spadix of the corpse flower has reached 69 inches in height, showing a modest increase since the previous afternoon. The spathe continues to peel away from the spadix, signaling the imminent bloom.
The current specimen, acquired in 2016, is cared for in the Conservatory’s production greenhouse when not in bloom. This is its second bloom at the Conservatory, with the first bloom occurring in July 2020. When fully opened, the flower emits a stench similar to rotting flesh to attract its pollinators, flies, and beetles. The bloom lasts only one to two days before the plant collapses into dormancy, not blooming again for several years.
Photo below is of a flower in bloom
Known as Amorphophallus titanum, the corpse flower is renowned for its size, boasting the largest unbranched inflorescence in the world. It is endangered, native only to the Sumatran rainforests in Indonesia, where its population is decreasing. Even in cultivation, it is uncommon and difficult to care for due to its size, susceptibility to rot, and unpredictable nature. The plant can reach up to 20 feet tall in its vegetative state and requires a long time to flower, sometimes taking up to a decade. Reproduction is particularly challenging as the plant does not self-pollinate.
For more information and to reserve tickets, visit the Conservatory’s website. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to witness one of nature’s most fascinating and pungent spectacles.
