CHESTERFIELD, Mo. – A rare corpse flower is expected to bloom Saturday at the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House. The plant is quite fascinating to some, but is also quite smelly.
The corpse flower, named Calli, will be the first to bloom at the Butterfly House and the 16th to bloom within the Missouri Botanical Garden’s collection since 2012.
The Butterfly House is offering free nighttime admission to corpse flower enthusiasts or curious onlookers from 8-11 p.m. Saturday.
Scientifically named as titan arum, the flower is native to Indonesia and is considered to be one of the fastest-growing plant in the Aroid family. While the corpse flower is known for its intense, foul odor, it can also help attract pollinators and help several species survive.
The corpse flower can take five to ten years to grow from seed until it is ready for its first bloom. The flower usually opens quickly and in the late afternoon with the peak bloom usually occurring after dark. The full bloom cycle is only around 24 hours.
To plan a visit at the Butterfly House around the corpse flower, click here for more information.
