ST. LOUIS – The Missouri Botanical Garden is now experiencing their 15th corpse flower bloom. This bloom, named “Millie,” is open for free viewing from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. at the Linnean House.
This Amorphophallus titanium, commonly known as titan arum and “corpse flower,” is a large, fast-growing plant in the aroid family. Native Indonesia, this plant has an intense and foul odor emitted from a tall spike of small flowers.
Its’ smell and plant coloration mimic rotting flesh to attract pollinators like flies. Titan arums, such as “Millie,” only bloom at night.
The corpse flower is listed on the endangered list in the wild on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Species. It can take five to 10 years to grow from a seed until it is ready for its first bloom.
The Missouri Botanical Garden also has a livestream available on Youtube.
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