Chesterfield, MO – For the first time, a rare corpse flower is set to bloom at the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House in Chesterfield. This event is expected to occur between July 30 and August 4. The corpse flower typically opens quickly in the late afternoon, with its peak bloom usually happening after dark.
Admission will be free on the night of the bloom. The Butterfly House plans to stay open late that evening and will provide updates on its social media pages regarding the exact timing of the bloom.
The rare Amorphophallus titanum, commonly known as the titan arum or “corpse flower,” is named Calli and will be blooming for the first time. Calli is a large, fast-growing plant in the Aroid family.
Corpse Flowers has been a part of the St. Louis Botanical Gardens since 2012. While the Garden has hosted at least 15 corpse flower blooms, this is the first time it will host one at a different site.
Native to Sumatra, Indonesia, the corpse flower is known for the intense, foul odor it emits when blooming.
Garden horticulturist Emily Colletti, who curates the Garden’s aroid collection, says hosting Calli’s bloom at the Butterfly House will allow visitors to explore the titan arum’s unique pollination process.
“I have always stressed how a flower’s sole purpose is to attract the pollinator,” Colletti said. “Size, shape, color and smell are all about attracting a pollinator.”
During its bloom, the titan arum emits an intense, foul odor from a tall spike of small flowers, with the scent often lasting just 24 hours. The smell and plant coloration mimic rotting flesh to attract pollinators such as flies.
This will be Calli’s first bloom. A gift from the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, Calli is a sibling to “Millie,” who bloomed at the Garden earlier this summer.
Calli is currently located in the Tropical Conservatory of the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House. Viewing is included with Butterfly House admission from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Butterfly House is normally closed on Mondays but plans to be open for the special occasion on July 29. Admission pricing is available at butterflyhouse.org.
