A dead body? No, corpse flower blooms at Sac State
The malodorous corpse flower is now in bloom – and literally stinking up the air at California State University, Sacramento.
The corpse flower, so-named because its bloom smells of rotting flesh, bloomed on Monday. Since then, the public has been coming by to take a whiff. The stench from the flower, which also reminds some of dirty diapers, usually lasts 48 hours. The odor is emitted to attract fly pollinators.
The flower is on display for smelling at Sequoia Hall room 105, which is open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
For those who just want to see what a blooming corpse flower looks like – and watch people holding their noses – there’s a live webcam. The webcam has no smell-a-vision.
The 20-year-old plant is botanically known as Amorphophallus titanum. Plants can live 40 to 60 years, but flower only four or five times during their lifespan.
The flower is “ the first ‘show’ in Biological Sciences’ new Living Gallery,” said Ruth Ballard, chair of CSUS’ biology department. “We’re planning a Dermestid beetle show in the fall and are putting in an ant farm across from the department office. Our shows will be changed about once every three months and will feature biological processes in real time.”
Call The Bee’s Bill Lindelof, (916) 321-1079.
This story was originally published March 24, 2015 at 10:24 AM with the headline "A dead body? No, corpse flower blooms at Sac State."