Michigan Corpse Flower Blooms For First Time In 7 Years

The Amorphophallus titanum, known as a corpse flower, produces the rotting-flesh smell to attract certain pollinators, such as flies and beetles. The plants can take up to take 10 years to reach the necessary size to bloom, according to Grand Valley State University.

The endangered tropical plant native to Sumatra, in Indonesia, first arrived at Grand Valley State University about seven years ago. The plant started blooming Sunday, and was still on display at the college through Friday.

“It’s so unusual, it’s so interesting,” supervisor of the Barbara Kindschi Greenhouse Christina Hipshier said. “One reason we’re trying to show this off is so that people know what it is and try to conserve it for the future.”

The plant’s blossom drew over 1,800 people to the greenhouse on Monday, Hipshier said.

The plant generally blooms 24 to 36 hours and could reach 12-feet in height with a 5-foot bloom diameter, according to Grand Valley State University. However, the plant typically reaches a height of six to eight inches in a cultivation setting.