Rare corpse flower to bloom at WIU greenhouse

From RTTNews: Here is a problem that is raising a stink at the Western Illinois University (WIU). Titan Arum #3, a plant with the nickname "Corpse Flower", is having an unexplained delay in blooming for the second time, at the University greenhouse. It is expected to occur any day now. It was in June 2010 that the flower bloomed for the first time.

The University has three other Titan Arums as well. Once Titan #3 blooms again, it will be the fourth time in two years that a WIU Titan Arum has entered inflorescence.

Titan Arum, scientifically called Amorphophallus titanum, is a native of the equatorial rainforests of central Sumatra in western Indonesia. It is nicknamed "Corpse Flower" due to the unpleasant odor emitted while flowering. The strong smell that is similar to rotting flesh attracts its pollinators, carrion beetles and sweat flies.

Being the largest flowering plant in the world, it reaches heights of over 10 feet. It has the largest unbranched inflorescence, containing both male & female flowers.

One of the reasons for the plant's rarity is its unreliable blooming schedule. There is no bloom season and flowers can be produced at any time of the year.

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