A large plant with a name that fits its gnarly smell is beginning to bloom at the Huntington in San Marino, attracting visitors eager to catch a glimpse of its “rare,” short-lived unfurling and foul odor.
The corpse flower, or a titan arum, is beginning to open, the Huntington announced on social media on Wednesday, July 30. It comes after the Huntington announced earlier July that the corpse flower was expected to bloom in the coming weeks.
This tall plant has an odor “comparable to rotting flesh” that attracts pollinators such as carrion beetles and flies in the wild, according to the Huntington.
Nicknamed the Green Boy, this corpse flower is opening fast, the Huntington said on social media, so Californians eager to see this sight in person will want to make their way to the Huntington ASAP.
A YouTube livestream of the plant native to Indonesia showed numerous visitors already standing around the tall, exotic plant.
“A Corpse Flower bloom is one of nature’s most extraordinary events — and a rare opportunity to spark curiosity about plants and highlight The Huntington’s conservation mission,” Nicole Cavender, the Telleen/Jorgensen director of the botanical gardens, said in a statement.
“Every bloom connects visitors to the incredible diversity of the plant world and underscores our work here — through horticulture, research, education, and conservation efforts — to protect endangered species and their habitats," Cavender said.
How long will the corpse flower bloom?
The bloom lasts for 24 to 48 hours, according to the Huntington, making it “one of the rarest and shortest-lived spectacles in the plant world.”
At full bloom, the corpse flower can be up to 12 feet.
How many corpse flowers are there?
According to the Huntington, there are fewer than 1,000 corpse flowers remaining in the wild. Meanwhile, the Huntington has exhibited 27 corpse flower blooms since 1999 and said it has one of the largest collections of this plant in North America.
How much are Huntington Library tickets?
Formerly the Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens, tickets for adults are $29 Monday through Thursday and $34 Friday through Sunday and during peak seasons and holidays.
Tickets are $24 Monday through Thursday for students 12-18 or full time with an ID and $28 Friday through Sunday. Children ages four to 11 can get tickets starting at $13, and children under four can visit the Huntington for free.
Tickets can be purchased online at the huntington.org.
Huntington free days: Here's when
Known for its impressive library, art, and botanical gardens, the Huntington offers free admission with advance reservation for the first Thursday of every month. Tickets for Free Days are available the last Thursday of every month at 9 a.m. until sold out for admission the following week, according to The Huntington’s website.
Paris Barraza is a trending reporter covering California news at The Desert Sun. Reach her at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: The Huntington corpse flower is starting its rare, smelly bloom
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