# Time lapse video of Lois the Corpse Flower blooming **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 25, 2010, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-lapse-video-of-lois-the-corpse-flower-blooming/547942 "2010-07-25T14:00:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Ca3799](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9f8e36/32.png) [@Ca3799](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ca3799)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2010, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-lapse-video-of-lois-the-corpse-flower-blooming/547942/1 "2010-07-25T14:00:34Z")
[http://www.chron.com/video/?248171451001](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. ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2010, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-lapse-video-of-lois-the-corpse-flower-blooming/547942/2 "2010-07-25T15:05:24Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![In\_Winnipeg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a8b319/32.png) [@In\_Winnipeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/In_Winnipeg)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2010, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-lapse-video-of-lois-the-corpse-flower-blooming/547942/3 "2010-07-25T16:41:38Z")
Well, that’s a big disappointment. ---
**Author:** ![Ca3799](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9f8e36/32.png) [@Ca3799](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ca3799)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2010, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-lapse-video-of-lois-the-corpse-flower-blooming/547942/4 "2010-07-25T17:16:51Z")
Well, for 8 bucks you could go smell it. I hear that is impressive! ---
**Author:** ![supergoose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@supergoose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/supergoose)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2010, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-lapse-video-of-lois-the-corpse-flower-blooming/547942/5 "2010-07-25T18:15:08Z")
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.) ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2010, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-lapse-video-of-lois-the-corpse-flower-blooming/547942/6 "2010-07-25T18:45:00Z")
> [@supergoose](#): > > Are there other hideously corpse-smelly flowers that are more impressive? The only thing that comes close is [Rafflesia arnoldii](http://blogs.muxlim.com/siecantik/rafflesia-arnoldi-the-biggest-flower-in-the-world/). ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2010, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-lapse-video-of-lois-the-corpse-flower-blooming/547942/7 "2010-07-25T19:17:30Z")
> [@supergoose](#): > > 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.) 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. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2010, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-lapse-video-of-lois-the-corpse-flower-blooming/547942/8 "2010-07-25T19:35:54Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2010, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-lapse-video-of-lois-the-corpse-flower-blooming/547942/9 "2010-07-26T00:01:36Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![supergoose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@supergoose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/supergoose)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2010, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-lapse-video-of-lois-the-corpse-flower-blooming/547942/10 "2010-07-26T00:39:15Z")
Well, I suppose 6 ft is pretty respectable. That Rafflesia arnoldii is definitely on the list, though. Assuming one is reasonably accessible. ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2010, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-lapse-video-of-lois-the-corpse-flower-blooming/547942/11 "2010-07-26T02:40:45Z")
Here’s the Wikipedia article on this species: [Amorphophallus titanum - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titan_Arum) Fun fact: the genus name means “misshapen penis.” ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2010, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-lapse-video-of-lois-the-corpse-flower-blooming/547942/12 "2010-07-26T02:47:18Z")
> [@matt\_mcl](#): > > 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](http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&hs=cLE&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&q=stinkhorn&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&biw=1600&bih=743), too. ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2010, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-lapse-video-of-lois-the-corpse-flower-blooming/547942/13 "2010-07-26T03:55:15Z")
> [@matt\_mcl](#): > > Here’s the Wikipedia article on this species: [Titan arum - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titan_Arum) > > Fun fact: the genus name means “misshapen penis.” 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 ;). ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2010, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-lapse-video-of-lois-the-corpse-flower-blooming/547942/14 "2010-07-26T13:20:20Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brown_eyed_girl/32/3574_2.png) [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brown_Eyed_Girl)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2010, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-lapse-video-of-lois-the-corpse-flower-blooming/547942/15 "2010-07-26T18:33:17Z")
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! ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2010, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-lapse-video-of-lois-the-corpse-flower-blooming/547942/16 "2010-07-26T19:21:49Z")
The Minnesota one (Perry) [just bloomed last week.](http://wcco.com/watercooler/corpse.flower.blooms.2.1820951.html) ---
**Author:** ![Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malleus_incus_stapes/32/3293_2.png) [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2010, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-lapse-video-of-lois-the-corpse-flower-blooming/547942/17 "2010-07-27T01:23:16Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > > [@matt\_mcl](#): > > > > 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](http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&safe=off&client=firefox-a&hs=cLE&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&q=stinkhorn&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&biw=1600&bih=743), too. The stinkhorn family is in fact called Phallaceae. ---
**Author:** ![Mtgman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5a626/32.png) [@Mtgman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mtgman)\ **Post date:** [July 27, 2010, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-lapse-video-of-lois-the-corpse-flower-blooming/547942/18 "2010-07-27T16:27:35Z")
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 ---
**Author:** ![Serenata67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/serenata67/32/10646_2.png) [@Serenata67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Serenata67)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2010, 6:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-lapse-video-of-lois-the-corpse-flower-blooming/547942/19 "2010-07-28T18:32:08Z")
> [@wolfman](#): > > 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. I was thinking it not only would smell, but open up to some sort of blood-red corpse looking flower. Disappointed. ---
**Author:** ![Sal\_Ammoniac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8dc957/32.png) [@Sal\_Ammoniac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sal_Ammoniac)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2010, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-lapse-video-of-lois-the-corpse-flower-blooming/547942/20 "2010-07-29T00:46:39Z")
Yeah, me, too. Still, I want a cutting. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/time-lapse-video-of-lois-the-corpse-flower-blooming/547942.md?page=2)