Thursday, March 13 Corpse Flower Update: The Blooms Are Fully Open!
The Amorphophallus konjac (mini corpse flowers) have fully bloomed, and while their infamous stench has started to fade, it’s still making surprise appearances! As the scent disperses throughout the Fern Room, you might not always notice it right away—only to walk 20 feet away and suddenly find yourself in an unexpected odor zone. Just as quickly, the air clears, leaving you wondering if it was real or just a trick of the senses.
We will keep the display up through the weekend so visitors still have a chance to see (and smell) these fascinating plants in bloom. If the flowers collapse into an especially unsightly state (senescence is part of life!), we may remove one or both on Sunday. However, the corms and leaves will remain on display, and the full tear-down will take place Monday morning before opening.
Don’t miss your chance to experience this unique botanical event! Visit the Fern Room before they’re gone.
March 4: Mini Corpse Flower Update: A New Location for the Bloom!
Our Amorphophallus konjac (mini corpse flowers) are getting closer to blooming! Both flowers have started to unfurl and are entering their opening stage, with the distinctive smell expected to begin tomorrow. We anticipate a full opening of the flowers right on schedule—just in time for a wedding in the North Garden.
To ensure the happy couple’s special day remains stink-free, we have relocated the blooming A. konjacs to the Fern Room by the pond. This new location provides a better space for both visitors and plant enthusiasts who want to experience the full bloom (and scent) up close. The plants will remain in this display area until their flowering cycle is complete.
In the Fern Room, you’ll now find:
- A fully grown leaf stage
- An unfurling leaf
- Two flowering stage plants
- Three dormant corms
A special thank you to Horticultural Curator, Ray, and Jen for their flexibility and effort in relocating the plants, ensuring a smooth transition for both the wedding and our curious visitors.
Come visit them in the Fern Room and experience this fascinating bloom—if you dare!
Exciting news from the North Garden—our Amorphophallus konjac plants, also known as “mini” corpse flowers (though still the size of a small humanoid!), are beginning to bloom! You can find them across from the pond, where we’ve grouped all our blooming and vegetative A. konjacs together, allowing visitors to see the different forms these fascinating plants take.
The flowers are just starting to unfurl, and while it’s tricky to predict the exact moment they will fully open, the one closest to blooming could open within the next 1–3 days. But nature keeps us guessing—so if you’re eager to witness this rare event, don’t wait too long!
The Marjorie McNeely Conservatory is home to seven different species of Amorphophallus, including the towering A. titanum (Titan Arum), famously represented by “Horace.” These botanical relatives—think of them as “cousins” within the same genus—often produce large, strong-smelling flowers, but each species has its own unique traits. Some, like A. paeoniifolius (elephant foot yam) and A. konjac, are even used in food production, with their underground corms processed into starches or gelatin-like products.
Our collection also includes one of the smallest Amorphophallus species, A. myosuroides, which stands just 4–12 inches tall with a corm no bigger than a grape. Several species in our care, including A. myosuroides and A. ferruginosus, are relatively new to science, having been named within the last 20 years. Many Amorphophallus species remain hidden underground as dormant corms for much of the year—making them quite tricky to find in the wild. Imagine searching for a buried, dirt-covered grape in your own backyard!
Don’t miss this chance to see (and smell) our “mini” corpse flowers in bloom. Visit soon—if you dare!
