Corpse Flower by environaut
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Description
The 'corpse flower', otherwise known as Titan arum (scientific name: Amorphophallus titanum), has been cultivated to bloom in the United States only about 20 times. It is native to the jungles of Sumatra. The University of Wisconsin-Madison Botany department has successfully had 3 blooms in the last four years. This photo was taken last Friday of the bloom known as 'Little Stinker'. This specimen was much shorter than the first blooming at UW-Madison. Little Stinker measured 59 inches (150 cm) tall when it bloomed. The first titan arum bloom in 2001 was 8 feet 5 inches tall (over 2.5 meters tall) and its smell reportedly reached up to the fourth floor of the building!
What the corpse flower (titan arum) is most noted for is its size (it's called the largest flower in the world), and its smell. The smell has been compared to rotting meat or dead animals...I will agree with those descriptions! Nevertheless it is a very beautiful and strange flower. I highly recommend seeing one if you get the chance!
For more information go to this website: http://www.news.wisc.edu/titanarum2004/about.html
Enjoy, and thanks to all your comments on my last photo, 'Lotus'. It's very much appreciated!
--Mike
Comments (14)
adm5050
Now that is really interesting, if I remember right the datura has the same rotten smell and the texture and form of the flower is very simular. Except this sucker is one hugh flower!!
Dixiem47
What a wonderful subject and thank you for the info I realy like that.As far as the photo its self it realy looks good to me. the lighting and colors are outstanding Stunning work.V
Enmos
Nice smell eh? Argggghhh :oP Excellent shot and info !!
cynlee
i've heard of it... that is one giant stickin flower!! :]
chicajm
Very cool; it must be very beautiful when it blooms!
PIXELPUNK10010
That almost looks surreal. Thanks for sharing it with us.
rmnative111
Excellent shot! I remember a variety of Amorphophalus we used to sell at a nursery I worked at in Austin. It was much smaller but boy did it stink!
kenwas
Thanks for the information on this incredible plane. Excellent shot!
choronr
Very interesting Mike. Thank you for sharing this picture and the associated information. I have long been interested in horticulture over the years and appreciate learning about this variety of plant. Its pretty clever how nature - through evolution - has provided a method for effecting pollination by drawing flies.
logiloglu
wow, an imposant plant. fantastic capture. !!!!!!!!! #:O) !!!!!!!!!!
solrac_gi_2nd
Thanks Mike for sharing this so rare wonder. Excellent capture !!!
Akinom
Just quote Gerthard... he said exactly what I was thinking :o) vote
jcv2
Thought always the Rafflesia arnoldii (also Indonesian) was the largest flower; the Titan arum (Amorphophallus titanum, the name is pretty clear :) is a collection of tiny flowers (http://www.loc.gov/rr/scitech/mysteries/flower.html). Excellent and rare shot, thank you for sharing!
Michelle A.
Amazing plant.....