‘It makes you physically gag’: Rare, 24-hour ‘corpse flower’ likely to bloom in Mass. this weekend

This weekend in Massachusetts, a rare corpse flower will bloom, but it will only last for a day.

According to the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, the ruffling of its leaves, an indication of the impending bloom, indicated that the flower would blossom between Friday and Sunday. The blossom hadn’t opened as of Friday morning.

The expected bloom was described as a unique and stunning botanical phenomenon by MHS in a press statement.

The horticultural association claims that when the flower blooms, it will release its notorious stench, which is akin to that of rotting flesh, in an attempt to draw in pollinators like flies and beetles.

For ten years, the flower was cultivated at Wheaton College in Norton. According to Mass. Horticultural, it was transferred to the Massachusetts Horticultural Society in Wellesley on Wednesday in preparation for its 32-hour bloom.

It will have a corpse-like odor. similar to decaying, aged flesh. James Hearsum, the president and executive director of the Horticultural Society, told WBZ that it causes bodily gag reflexes.

Amanda Bettle, the Animal Facility and Greenhouse Manager at Wheaton College, who gave the flower the name Eliza, remarked, “This flower is really amazing.” Its size, scent, and short blooming period are all examples of its amazing adaptations. Wheaton College wanted everyone to know about this.

As stated by Karen Daubmann, Director of Garden and Programs at MHS, “partnerships like this with Wheaton College allow us to highlight the unique sensory experiences that can be found in gardens and this is one of the most shocking.”

The flower is indigenous to the Indonesian island of Sumatra and is scientifically known as the Titan Arum. According to MHS, Titan Arum plants can reach a height of 10 feet and store energy for the grand bloom over the course of their lives.

Eliza’s development is being livestreamed on YouTube by the Horticultural Society.

In order to accommodate the usual corpse flower bloom time, which is between 6 p.m. and midnight, MHS may also provide longer operating hours, the horticultural society said.

Purchasing a general admission ticket includes the opportunity to see Eliza.