Corpse Flower

Did you know

• The corpse flower produces the world's largest unbranched inflorescence, reaching up to 10 feet tall, and blooms for only 24–48 hours before collapsing — sometimes just once per decade.
• The notorious rotting-flesh odor is a biochemical mimicry strategy: the plant heats itself to near body temperature and emits compounds like dimethyl trisulfide to attract dung beetles and carrion flies as pollinators.
• The corm (underground tuber) can weigh over 200 pounds after years of energy storage — it needs this enormous reserve to fuel the rapid growth of the inflorescence, which can grow several inches per day.
• Botanically, what looks like a single giant flower is actually thousands of tiny male and female flowers packed into a central spike (spadix) wrapped by a frill-like spathe.
• Blooming events at botanical gardens routinely draw thousands of visitors and generate global news coverage; zoos and gardens have been known to extend hours and live-stream the event.

Color meanings

Uses

• ornamental
• conservation specimen