(Technically, its the worlds largest 'unbranched flower' - but that seems to be splitting hairs!)
Given that these plants only produce their huge every 7 to 10 years, I thought I'd go and have a look. Also, given that this flower attracts pollinators though its fouls smell, I though I'd go and have a sniff as well.
The flower goes by a number of names, including Amorphophallus titanium, the titan arum and because of its smell, the corpse flower!
As you can see that flower is rather large, towering over a rather splendid looking boy who chose to wear a suitably botanical tee-shirt on that day! You can't smell the smell, and (possibly) thankfully neither could we! It seemed that the stink had subsided a bit by the time we got there. One of the staff told us that it was actually making her gag the day before!
As with many plants the architecture of the whole thing is remarkable. These are some closer images of the plant.
What is also remarkable is that the flower rapidly decays away after blooming - and only remains fully in flower for about three of four days. After that it rapidly collapses. This is a plant that was in flower a short while ago.
You can find out more about this plant at the modern repository of all knowledge.
And you can find more images from around the world at Our World Tuesday.
Amazing. I've heard of this flower before and would be keen to see it if it came to where I am.
ReplyDeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteTriffids, anyone? Hehehe couldn't get that thought out of my mind. It is a structural beauty though, no doubt about it! YAM xx
We got to see one of these at an Arboretum in Seattle last Fall and it definitely DID stink! I blogged the experience, but not as well as you do here ... There was such a line of people that I wouldn't have had time to take those close.ups even if I'd thought of it.
ReplyDeleteI have heard of those flowers but never seen one. One bloomed at the Botanical Gardens in Washington in the last year or two but I didn't get there to see it. Thanks for the up close and personal shots. I have heard about the smell too.
ReplyDeleteI saw your new post link in my blog reader and had to come over to view. My goodness!!! This is incredible.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shot of this great flower, Stewart.
ReplyDeleteI've never seen such a large flower.
A good new week.
Best regards, Irma
A flower that gags you...yeah, I'm running to that one hehe
ReplyDeleteit's a doozie! i've read about them before and can happily skip that experience. :)
ReplyDeleteI would love to have seen that. Just imagine the energy that plant expended in producing that flower. Amazing.
ReplyDeleteHow interesting! That is one big blossom.
ReplyDeleteAmazing and a big blossom indeed! Great captures as always, Stewart!
ReplyDeleteIt's HUGE! We did have one flower in Toronto a while back but I missed it! Glad you got to see the one there.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing flower!
ReplyDeleteNow THAT'S an interesting plant!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing the information and your great images.
I admit, on looking at your first photo, I thought of "The Little Shop of Horrors". ("Feed me!!!")
Hope your week is off to a terrific start, Stewart!
-- Wally In Wet Florida
That's a pretty amazing flower..There may be one in an Arboretum not far from here..Thanks for sharing without the smell..( I guess that will be next)
ReplyDeleteThat's a pretty amazing flower..There may be one in an Arboretum not far from here..Thanks for sharing without the smell..( I guess that will be next)
ReplyDeleteMust have been wonderful to see this flower bloom in person and I loved the close up shots you got of it.
ReplyDeleteWTH! Reality is so much stranger than fiction!
ReplyDeleteGreat shots of this magnificent flower! Wow!
ReplyDeleteHappy Week to you,
artmusedog and carol
An extraordinary bloom for sure - thanks for sharing its image Stewart, but sparing us the "aroma"!
ReplyDeleteIt is beautiful! I have a friend who went to see one bloom one time and she said the same thing about the smell.
ReplyDeleteI've heard about that flower, I think it's cool. btw is that a wombat in your header image
ReplyDeleteIt looks like the whole plant is a flower! Enjoyed the photos!
ReplyDeleteI was fortunate to see one of these in Washington DC. many years ago. I just happened to be in the area at the time of its blooming. I went fully prepared for the smell but I didn't smell anything.
ReplyDeleteWally's comment made me smile. Little Shop of Horrors does come to mind. It is a huge plant.
That's amazing!
ReplyDeleteThat's truly amazing and interesting! I had never heard of it before. Thank you for sharing with us!!
ReplyDeletethat is quite amazing for a flower :)
ReplyDeleteIncredibly this flower. Thanks for the Pictures.
ReplyDeleteThat's so fascinating! It's beautiful and strange.
ReplyDeleteI also think of Little Shop of Horrors when I see this. I would like to see the giant fly that comes to visit it too. Very cool photos.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting! I think there is a place or two that have these plants in my area. I'm going to try and find out. I'd like to go take a whiff, er um, look!
ReplyDelete