Geelong Botanic Gardens’ corpse flower has bloomed for the first time, giving people a short time to witness the rare event.
The Titan Arum (Amorphophallus titanium), commonly known as the corpse flower, started to bloom on Monday, November 11, and lasted 24 to 48 hours.
Parks and Natural Assets manager Reese McIlvena said an estimated close to 10,000 people visited Geelong Botanic Garden to see the plant, which flowers once every seven to 10 years.
Mr McIlvena said the Titan Arum was famous for its distinctive odour, which smells like rotting flesh when it blooms.
“We knew it was coming but we didn’t expect it to come so soon as it’s a very young plant, so it’s been very exciting,” he said.
“Around mid-afternoon (on Monday), it started to open up, and the smell started to emit from it. So, it really throws its scent and is most showy at night.
“Our staff were only out by about half a day on when the plant would bloom as it is so young. It just took its time…and the staff have done a good job of caring for it.
“The plant has been with us for a few years, and they have been doing their thing. This one has just generated so much energy that it’s been able to produce a flower and go through its cycle early.”
City of Greater Geelong chief executive Ali Wastie said the bloom was an exciting moment for plant enthusiasts and community members across the region.
“The endangered Titan Arum is the largest species of carrion flower, and its preservation is important as the wild population is in decline,” she said.
“It’s been fantastic to see so many people interested in the Titan Arum and thank you to the thousands of people who have come to visit our iconic gardens in the lead-up to its blossoming.”
Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium of South Australia – Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens gifted Geelong Botanic Gardens two Amorphophallus titanum corms (swelling underground plant stem) in 2021.
