http://www.chron.com/video/?248171451001
I wish they “Stink-o-Meter” is the background were better centered in the video.
I understand the museum has been staying open 24 hours a day to accommodate visitors.
I had always assumed something a little more spectacular for a “bloom”. I was picturing some kind of gaping maw opening up, rather than a banana slowing peeling itself.
Pretty cool though, I’ve never seen one before.
Well, that’s a big disappointment.
Well, for 8 bucks you could go smell it. I hear that is impressive!
Is it at least huge? The video doesn’t make it look so, but I suppose there’s always hope.
Are there other hideously corpse-smelly flowers that are more impressive? (Seeing one in person is on my list of things to do before I die, and I’d like it to be worthy of such an honor.)
The only thing that comes close is Rafflesia arnoldii.
Based on the flashes of people passing by it’s much larger than it looks. It’s looks like it’s at least 5 feet tall. The pot it’s in is for trees and shrubs.
The one we visited didn’t smell nearly as bad as we’d been led to believe. Still, I wouldn’t want one in my garden.
lois is about 6 feet tall. the really amusing part. a couple booked the museum for their wedding, for this weekend.
they didn’t have lois on the wedding list, the wedding will go on the museum is going to use plastic to try and block off lois from the food area.
Well, I suppose 6 ft is pretty respectable. That Rafflesia arnoldii is definitely on the list, though. Assuming one is reasonably accessible.
Here’s the Wikipedia article on this species: Amorphophallus titanum - Wikipedia
Fun fact: the genus name means “misshapen penis.”
Corpseflowers and certain orchids are the two flowers that always make me want to blush. I mean, I’m not 12 years old or anything, but they’re just kind of right out there, not only analogous in shape but in function, as well…
Certain stinkhorns, too.
You know, When I was composing my post I first phrased it as “Rotting foreskin” but in the sense of taste I rephrased it as " banana peeling itself" I feel subconsciously justified ;).
Worst. Corsage. Ever.
Lois has been, if nothing else, reluctant. As a Houstonian, the daily reminders of her progress have seemed painfully incremental. Now that she’s in bloom though I hope this part too is of long enough duration that the Museum can process all the people trying to get in to experience the event. I’d go but they do state that you easily can wait in line for hours.
If memory serves, this is only the 26th in the US and the 2nd in Texas ever to bloom.
That was somewhat anticlimactic. Does it smell as bad as Bradford pears in bloom? I swear the first time we smelled one, my husband and I both thought something had crawled under our porch and died. peeyoo!
The Minnesota one (Perry) just bloomed last week.
The stinkhorn family is in fact called Phallaceae.
And I know a guy whose phallus is nicknamed “stinkhorn.” It looks like a turnip though, so it’s not an exact match.
Enjoy,
Steven
I was thinking it not only would smell, but open up to some sort of blood-red corpse looking flower. Disappointed.
Yeah, me, too. Still, I want a cutting.