Final Update: 🌿 A Fond Farewell – An Ode to the Odorous One
Frederick the Corpse Flower
Amorphophallus titanum
2017–2025 (First Bloom)
Bloomed: June 25, 2025
Height: 81 inches of pure drama
Smell: Unforgettable
It is with equal parts sorrow and relief that we announce the closing of the spathe on our beloved botanical oddity, Frederick the Corpse Flower, who has now returned to the mysterious world behind the scenes for what we can only assume will be a long, well-earned nap.
Frederick captivated thousands with his towering presence, his unpredictable schedule, and, of course, his unholy stench. Though his bloom was brief and his opening not entirely dramatic (we get it, some of us are introverts), Frederick still managed to do what all great performers do: keep us waiting, wondering, sniffing, and learning.
A late bloomer at 8 years old, Frederick finally made his grand debut on June 25, reaching a record-breaking 81 inches—the tallest corpse flower bloom Como has ever seen. He teased us for days, offering just hints of color and whiffs of funk before finally unleashing his trademark odor: a bold bouquet of rotting meat, sweaty gym socks, and a distant memory of overripe garbage.
Frederick’s bloom may not have been fully open, but it was fully appreciated. Staff lovingly sliced viewing windows into his spathe to let visitors peer inside and witness the strange and wonderful inner workings of this rare plant. We watched as the female flowers emitted their famous foul perfume, and just a day later, the male flowers dusted the air with pollen—proof that Frederick did what nature intended.
As he now rests quietly behind the scenes, storing up energy for a potential encore performance years from now, we say:
Thank you, Frederick.
For educating us.
For entertaining us.
For making us hold our noses and hold our breath.
And for reminding us that science is weird, wild, and absolutely wonderful.
June 27: 🌿 Frederick Update
Just like we experienced with Horace, Frederick has already closed back up, which is expected for a Corpse Flower bloom. The spathe never fully opened, something we’ve now seen with both of our Titan Arums here at Como. We’re continuing to learn from each bloom and hope to discover strategies—like adjusting lighting and environmental conditions—that might encourage a more complete opening in future blooms.
But even without a dramatic full unfurl, the bloom was successful in other important ways!
To give visitors a peek at what’s typically hidden inside, our team carefully cut a few “windows” into the spathe. Through those, you can now view the individual flowers clustered along the spadix. The female flowers, located lower down, are the ones that produced the intense odor. While the scent has faded from the air, a little bit still lingers if you lean in close.
By Thursday, staff observed the male flowers beginning to extrude pollen—a perfect example of the Corpse Flower’s fascinating biology. The plant staggers the blooming time of its male and female flowers to avoid self-pollination, a clever evolutionary tactic to encourage cross-pollination and maintain genetic diversity in the wild.
Frederick may have closed up quickly, but he’s left us with an incredible opportunity to observe and share the story of one of the world’s rarest and most remarkable plants.
June 26: 🌿 Frederick Update
FOX-9’s Garden Guy Dale K. stopped in to visit Frederick, interview Ariel, and chat with visitors.
And KSTP stopped in to catch visitor’s reactions.
June 25: 🌿 Frederick Update
The wait is over—Frederick is blooming! 🌸
This morning, Frederick remained at 81 inches tall for the second day in a row, making this the tallest corpse flower bloom ever recorded at Como Park Zoo & Conservatory. And yes, for those wondering—the stench has officially arrived, and it does not disappoint.
While our predicted bloom dates weren’t spot on, that’s part of the mystery of working with such rare and complex plants. We continue to learn with each bloom. One factor we’re especially curious about is the role of overnight lighting. Some botanical gardens have reported that insufficient darkness (less than 8 hours overnight) can affect the bloom—either delaying it or preventing a full open. We’ll be watching closely to see how Frederick responds.
Regardless, the spathe is clearly starting to unfurl, revealing that deep maroon interior, and the smell is strong—a sure sign that Frederick is officially putting on his show.
🌸 Special Hours Today & Thursday!
To give everyone a chance to experience this rare event, the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory’s Palm Dome (where Frederick is located) will be open early at 9:00 a.m. and remain open until 9:00 p.m. tonight and tomorrow.
🔸 Please note: Extended hours apply to the Palm Dome only—not the zoo or the rest of the Conservatory.
June 24: 🌿 Frederick Update
We’re still anxiously awaiting Frederick’s big moment—but no bloom just yet! The spathe continues to loosen and we’re watching closely. In the meantime, let’s take this chance to learn a bit more about this fascinating plant that’s captured everyone’s attention.
🌸 5 Fascinating Facts About the Corpse Flower (Amorphophallus titanum)
1. It’s one of the largest—and smelliest—flowers on Earth.
Corpse flowers can grow over 8 feet tall and release a scent often compared to rotting meat. That smell helps attract pollinators like carrion beetles and flesh flies in the wild.
2. It takes years (and years) to bloom.
Corpse flowers can take 7–10 years to bloom for the first time, and even after that, they may only bloom once every 2–3 years. Frederick is 8 years old and this is his very first bloom!
3. The “flower” isn’t technically a single flower.
What we call a corpse “flower” is actually a collection of hundreds of tiny flowers clustered on a central spike called a spadix, surrounded by a large leaf-like structure called a spathe.
4. It heats itself up to spread its smell.
When blooming, the plant can heat up to around 98°F—about the same temperature as the human body! This helps vaporize the stench, carrying it further to attract pollinators.
5. It’s endangered in the wild.
Native to the rainforests of Sumatra, Indonesia, corpse flowers are considered endangered due to habitat loss, much of it driven by deforestation for palm oil production.
So while we wait for Frederick to make his move, we’re reminded of just how rare, remarkable, and important this plant truly is!
June 23: 🌿 Frederick Update
Minneapolis band, The Suburbs, say it best in the video below. We’re sure you’d like more of an update, but seriously, we’re waiting just like you. We’re still thinking soon, real soon. Growth slowed and that’s a telltale sign Fredrick’s ready to bloom. So, yeah, we’re waiting, waiting.
June 22: 🌿 Frederick Update for Sunday
This morning, we noticed the spathe is starting to loosen even more—a promising sign that we’re getting very close. So… maybe today? Then again, it could still be tomorrow. We’re officially on Frederick time!
Remember, you can watch the Corpse Cam live to catch the moment as it happens. Who knows—you might witness the bloom in real time!
We’re open today from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. if you’d like to check in on Frederick in person.
June 21: 🌿 Frederick Update for Saturday
Frederick measured 76 inches tall this morning, with just 1 inch of growth in the past 24 hours. That slowdown is exactly what we expect to see right before a bloom—and it means we’re getting close!
All signs are still pointing to a Sunday bloom, but with nature, there are no guarantees. If Frederick decides to wait just a bit longer, we wouldn’t be surprised by a Monday bloom either.
🎉 Fun Fact! We recently discovered that Chloe, one of our Garden Safari Gift Shop employees, is the great-granddaughter of Frederick Nussbaumer—the very person our Corpse Flower is named after! Nussbaumer was Superintendent of St. Paul’s park system from 1891 to 1922 and helped shape Como Park as we know it today.
Chloe works on Sundays, so be sure to stop in and say hi if you’re visiting tomorrow!
June 20: 🌿 Frederick Update
Frederick measured 75 inches tall this morning, adding 2 more inches since yesterday. While he’s still growing, the pace remains steady, not slowing dramatically just yet—which makes this countdown all the more suspenseful!
Our best prediction continues to be a Saturday or Sunday bloom, and based on what we’re seeing, that timeline is still looking solid. Stay tuned… Frederick’s big moment could be just around the corner!
June 19: 🌿 Frederick Update
Frederick measured 73 inches tall this morning, gaining just 2 inches since yesterday—another clear sign that growth is slowing, as expected right before a bloom.
We’re also seeing a deeper purplish-red coloration emerging on the inside of the spathe, which is another positive sign that things are progressing toward bloom stage.
🌸 All signs are pointing in the right direction! Our best estimate remains Saturday, though the window still ranges from as early as today (which would be a surprise) to Sunday. As always, it’s up to Frederick—and nature—to decide!
June 18: 🌿 Frederick Update
Frederick measured in at 71 inches tall today! That’s a 3-inch gain from yesterday—still growing, but we’re seeing signs of a slowdown, which is expected as the bloom gets closer. For comparison, the day before, Frederick grew 5 inches. As we near the bloom, we anticipate growth to slow to just about 1 inch per day, or even stop entirely right before the spathe begins to open.
Another sign we’re watching closely: the front bract is continuing to dry and fall, though it hasn’t completely withered yet. Once that final bract fully drops and the growth halts, we’ll know we’re on the brink.
At this point, our best guess for bloom timing is shifting toward somewhere between Friday and Sunday—but as always, nature runs on its own schedule!
JUNE 17: 🌿 Frederick Update
Frederick hit 68 inches today! That’s taller than we expected at this stage and a sign that this massive bloom is not far off. While Frederick’s growth has been fast and steady, we anticipate that pace will start to slow soon—a key indicator we’re watching for as the bloom nears.
We’ve also noticed that the protective bracts—those modified leaves covering the bud—have started to dry up and fall away. As of 11:00 a.m. today, the final bract was still partially covering the bud where the flower will eventually open. We expect that last one to drop in the next day or so, bringing us one step closer to showtime.
Still no smell yet! The infamous odor won’t appear until the spathe unfurls, exposing the flower’s interior. That’s when the female flowers become receptive and the plant produces its potent scent to attract pollinators like carrion beetles and flies in the wild.
🌱 Why It Matters: From Como to Sumatra
Frederick isn’t just a botanical rock star—he’s also a powerful reminder of a real conservation challenge.
Corpse flowers are endangered in the wild, found only in the rainforests of Sumatra. These habitats are shrinking rapidly due to deforestation, much of it tied to the production of unsustainable palm oil.
🌴 Fortunately, you can help. The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums has developed a simple, effective app to guide consumers toward brands that support sustainable palm oil practices.
🔍 Download the PalmOil Scan App here
Every small action adds up—and by learning about rare plants like Frederick, we also build awareness of the ecosystems and wildlife they share space with, including critically endangered orangutans.
JUNE 16: From Behind the Scenes to Center Stage
Frederick has made the move from our behind-the-scenes growing area into the Palm Dome, where visitors can now view—and eventually smell—this rare botanical wonder up close. We believe Frederick could bloom as early as Thursday, but remember: this is nature we’re talking about. The exact moment this giant flower will emit its infamous foul odor is impossible to predict.
About Frederick
Frederick and Horace are true siblings—started from seed in 2017 at the Greater Des Moines Botanic Garden, and donated to Como Park Zoo & Conservatory shortly thereafter. Despite being the same age and having the same parents, these two have followed different growth paths:
- Horace bloomed last year at age 7.
- Frederick is now 8 years old and preparing for his first bloom.
- When repotted this spring, Frederick’s tuber tipped the scales at nearly 58 pounds, a full 20 pounds heavier than Horace’s last year!
- At last measurement, Frederick stood 63 inches tall, already 10 inches taller than Horace’s bloom.
- While impressive, neither is expected to reach the species’ maximum height, which can exceed 9 feet in some cases.
These fascinating plants also carry a deeper local connection in their names.
Horace was named after Horace Cleveland, a key figure in shaping the St. Paul park system in the late 1800s. Cleveland was instrumental in the creation of Como Park and helped lay the foundation for the city’s vision of green, connected public spaces.
Frederick is named after Frederick Nussbaumer, who became the city’s parks superintendent in 1891, following four years as a gardener right here at Como Park. Nussbaumer held that role until 1922 and played a vital role in growing and guiding St. Paul’s park system for over three decades.
Currently, Horace is in the leaf stage, photosynthesizing and storing energy for a future bloom. Once a Titan Arum blooms for the first time (typically between 7–10 years), it may bloom again every 2–3 years under the right conditions. In cultivation, these incredible plants can live 40–50 years!
Pro tip: You don’t want to miss this. Frederick’s bloom will only last 24–48 hours—and the legendary odor even less than that. Be part of the rare spectacle, and come catch a whiff (if you dare).
CORPSE FLOWER FAQS
How often do they bloom?
The bloom cycle is not entirely predictable but usually follows this approximate pattern: plants will usually first bloom when they are about 7 to 10 years old. After the first bloom, a plant will often bloom every 2 to 3 years. Horace bloomed at the age of 7 and Frederick is now 8.
How often do they send up a leaf? How tall does it get?
They send up a leaf usually about every 18 months. After an 18 month old leaf dies back, a new one starts to grow right away, unless a flower bud grows. And every so often plants will wait before growing a new leaf, anywhere from 4 months to years. The leaves can get about 15 feet tall.
How tall is the average flower?
Some have grown as tall as 9 feet in botanic gardens, while the tallest recorded was 12 feet.
How long does it take to grow from popping out to bloom?
About 5 weeks in our experience but this varies.
Why do they turn purple inside?
The color is part of the plant’s strategy to appear like an animal carcass in order to attract its pollinators.
Where did Como’s come from?
Our 2 plants were a donation from the Greater Des Moines Botanic Garden. They had a lot of plants to share because they pollinated one of their blooms in 2017 to get seed and then grew many plants from seed. So our plants, both being from that seed lot, have the same parents and are the same age.
How many do we have?
While Como has maintained just 2 of these plants in our collection, we do participate in collaboration with other conservatories and botanic gardens by sharing the information we have on where our plants are from. Chicago Botanic garden maintains a list of A. titanums in collections and sharing this data helps gardens to maintain healthy populations and continue propagation of some of the world’s rarest species. Many institutions will also collaborate by donating plants and sometimes by donating pollen so a plant can be pollinated. We will not be looking to pollinate our bloom at this time, we simply don’t have the space to grow more of these giants. If you can’t make it to Como for this event, be on the lookout for one of our neighbors to have a bloom. Titan arums are grown in Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Louis, not to mention close by at the University of Minnesota College of Biological Sciences conservatory, to name a few.
Is there a limit of how many times they’re likely to bloom?
No! Though some sources say they live to about 50 years so maybe there is a limit. And like any living thing, some will die younger.
Why do they smell so bad?
The smell is part of the plant’s strategy to appear like an animal carcass in order to attract its pollinators.
How do they pollinate?
The pollinators are things like carrion beetles, flies, and sweat bees, that are attracted to rotting animals. When they fly in towards the smell they will crawl down towards the flowers at the base of the flower stalk which is called a spadix.
The female flowers are receptive on the first day that the spathe (the frilly, vase shaped part) opens and then the male flowers release pollen the second day. This means the plant is not able to fertilize itself and depends on pollinators bringing in pollen from another plant if it is going to set seed. If the pollinator coming in has visited another plant it may have some pollen on its body that could fertilize the female flowers. It will then pick up pollen on its body on the way out if it sticks around until the next day when the male flowers release pollen.
