Corpse flower at Phipps begins blooming to the delight of visitors
Posted on: June 9, 2016 | Written By: Doug Oster |
Curt Pesaka, indoor display foreman at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens takes the temperature of a part of the corpse flower called a spadix. As part of research on the plant, scientist believe it reaches 100 degrees or more to better cast the smell of rotten flesh out into the jungle where it grows in the wild. The “fragrance” attracts pollinators like flies and beetles. The corpse flower, named Romero started to bloom and has filled Phipps with its intense odor as can be seen by the reaction of the visitors. This is the second time the flower has bloomed, it last flowered three years ago. Photos by Doug Oster Tribune-Review
Usually it’s the sweet fragrances of lilies, roses or hyacinths that draw visitors to Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, today it was the smell of rotting flesh that attracted patrons like flies. That’s actually why the corpse flower, named Romero, releases the offensive odor, to attract pollinators like flies and beetles.
The smell can be overwhelming depending on where you stand in the Palm Court and it doesn’t smell like rotting flesh to everyone, some say diapers, dead fish, garbage and more.
This video from the first few hours of blooming, explains the attraction and interest the corpse flower has for visitors.
You can watch a live video feed of Romero here. Click on it twice.
Visitors enjoy the aroma of Romero the corpse flower.