Titan arum about to bloom at US Botanical Garden

[chris_todd]

FYI, the US Botanical Garden in DC has a Titan arum that should open its flower in the next day or two. Get out to see it if you can, because the bloom only lasts 24 to 48 hours.

Amy and I just missed the peak bloom of one of these plants when we visited Hawaii a few years ago, and even wilted and two days after peak, it was an impressive plant (and still very stinky!).

[eleontie]

That's really interesting, I would have missed such an event if not for your post, so thank you for sharing.
I will try to make it tomorrow, it does not yet seem to be fully bloomed.

http://www.usbg.gov/return-titan

[scientist0724]

Yuck, I saw and smelled one of these these plants several years ago back in San Diego. The smell is like rotting garbage on a really hot day!

It is quite a fascinating plant and I encourage everyone to go and see this plant if you get a chance.

Arlene

[tug]

Let's all get together in front of the live feed and do the Harlem Shake.
con los terroristas

[tug]

It looks as if it's happening!

Live Webcam
http://www.usbg.gov/return-titan

[scientist0724]

Mike, thanks for the update!

My 7 year old son has been dying to see this flower ever since I showed him this flower and told him that I've seen one. We thought that it had already bloomed and since his brother and he were in an all day summer camp all last week, we never got a chance to go to the botanical gardens. In fact, this morning he was whining that he would never see a corpse flower. Your update made his day and we are leaving to go see the flower in just a bit.

Arlene

[scientist0724]

We went to see the Corpse Flower today! And while we were there, a Washington Post writer heard me teaching my boys about how the vanilla bean was the seed pod of an orchid, he interviewed me for his submission article. So we might be mentioned in the papers tomorrow in the "Styles" section

Arlene

[chris_todd]

Nice, Arlene! We just got back from seeing it as well. Amy and I took my daughters and Judy's daughters as well. We were actually disappointed about the smell, which was only vaguely reminiscent of dead fish. But it was gorgeous and huge. It must be eight or nine feet tall, and the inner portion of the spathe is a luscious deep purpleish red. Truly an amazing specimen of the plant world.

And I also noticed the Vanilla orchid in the orchid room and was telling my girls about it, too. I just didn't have a Washington Post reporter near me at the time.

[Judi]

Both my girls told me they were disappointed that the flower was not nearly as stinky as they'd hoped/expected. They did think it looked pretty cool, though, and were glad they got to see it. Ivy said the orchid room was the best part of the trip. Thanks, Chris and Amy for taking them. They had a great time.