Titan arum (Amorphophallus titanum) at Cornell University

The Titan Arum is going, going, gone?** For the latest news and information, visit the Titan Arum blog.

Visitor information: Update 3/23

The spadix collapsed on Thursday. **We're still hoping for fruit. Check back to see if we get any. "Name Cornell’s Titan Arum!" is over!

The winner is... "Wee Stinky" by 53%! This Titan arum is part of the Liberty Hyde Bailey Conservatory collection, and is temporarily located in Green Greenhouse 114, attached to Kenneth Post Lab at the intersection of Tower Road and Judd Falls Road. Parking is available across the road. Cornell plant biologists and horticulturists are welcome anytime the facility is open (8:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Friday). Please be careful not to disturb the plant or the photographic equipment. Greenhouse grower Jenny Rothenberg and Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Station/College of Agriculture and Life Sciences greenhouse manager Andy Leed with titan arum, March 13, 2012. Photo by Vitaliy Darovskikh.







From Andy Leed,

Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Station/College of Agriculture and Life Sciences greenhouse manager 3/13/2012:

This titan arum, Amorphophallus titanum, is preparing to flower in the Kenneth Post Lab Greenhouses at Cornell University. On March 13, the unopened inflorescence measured 57 inches long. In recent days it's been growing about 2 inches daily.

These plants, native only to Sumatra, bloom very infrequently, and then only for one or two nights before collapsing. It's difficult to predict accurately, but the inflorescence will probably open within days.

Until it opens, there's no noticeable odor. After that there's little doubt where the name "Corpse Flower" comes from.

For more information, see:

What is that equipment sticking in the plant? Cornell graduate students are using little air pumps to suck the volatiles/scent compounds out of the inner recesses of the inflorescence while it is still closed.

Growth chart: Date Height

(inches) 3/4 38 3/8 48 3/10 53 3/11 55 3/12 57 3/13 59 3/14 62 3/15 63 3/16 64.5 3/17 66 3/18 66.5- flower opened



