TUCSON, Ariz (KGUN-TV) — A rare and rancid smell will soon fill the air at Tucson Botanical Gardens.
Rosie our Corpse plant has shed her skin, stay tuned for updates. pic.twitter.com/fthi3QFbjf
— Tucson Botanical (@TucBotanical) April 17, 2018
The Amorphophallus Titanum, one of the world’s largest and rarest flowers also known as the corpse flower is scheduled to bloom Thursday evening. Its blooming process can take up to 10 years, and the bloom only lasts 24-36 hours.
When it blooms, it emits a repulsive odor of rotting flesh, but it's delightful to some insects. The smell attracts beetles and flies that the plant needs for pollination.
The corpse flower named “Rosie” is located at the Cox Butterfly and Orchid Pavilion exhibit.
After rosie blooms she will produce small reddish fruit that will take 6 months to ripen.
Once the fruit ripens, Tucson Botanical Gardens will take the seeds out and sow them to attempt to grow some smaller Amorphophallus Titanums or share seeds with other botanical gardens.
