A plant that stinks like a dead body

Imagine a plant that bloom only every 7 to 10 years, it’s flower can grow up to 12 feet tall and …. it’s smells like a dead body… If you said Corpse Plant, you got it!

The Corpse Plant, which scientific name is Amorphophallus titanum (that in reality means “in the shape of a big penis), is native solely to western Sumatra. However, the plant is cultivated by botanical gardens and a few private collectors around the world. Luckily (or not) we have a gardener in Bristol TN that cultivates this plant.

The nucleo of the plant is a corm that remains dormant for about 6 to 7 months. A mature corm can weigh over 300 pounds.

Most of the years, it will grow one single leaf, umbrella or palm tree shaped, that can reach up to 15 feet tall. In tropical weather this leaf lasts around 12 to 18 months. n colder regions it will died back as temperature falls.

The leaf stem has a very particular pattern… it’s covered with round white spots. The pattern reminds us of a Dalmatian dog.

One year, instead of growing the leaf, the corm “decides” to bloom. One single flower emerges directly from the ground. taking up to 2 weeks to be fully developed. Then, it opens for 2 or 3 days. Enough to attract an army of flies and bugs that love to eat and lay their eggs in rotten flesh. So the plant gets pollinated, and the cycle restarts.