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Rare Plant in Lyman Known
for its Stink
 It’s
a dubious honor, but a flower named the amorphophallus
titanum about to bloom in the Lyman Conservatory is known
for its strong, corpse-like stench. Its nickname, in fact,
is the “corpse flower.”
The first-ever flowering in
Massachusetts of the rare plant (also known as Titan Arum)
is expected to take place between August 13 and 15.
“We predict a miasma of
stench will perfume the Palm House around that time,”
says Madelaine Zadik, manager of education and outreach at
the Botanic Garden. “Bring your own gas mask and enjoy.”
Native to the lowland rainforests
of the Indonesian island of Sumatra, the endangered species
has flowered rarely in the United States, says Zadik. One
of the largest blooms in the plant kingdom -- Smith's Titan
Arum weighs 40 pounds and the plant can grow to more than
100 pounds -- it also gives off one of the worst stinks, often
compared to that of rotting flesh.
to learn more about the plant on the Botanic Garden
site and to monitor its progress via a safe and odorless live
Web cam.
The Titan Arum is located in
the Palm House near the doorway leading out to the rock garden.
The Lyman Conservatory is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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