-FUPPETS- Corpse Flower Update: The Stink Is Here

Checking in with the Houston Museum of Natural Science's blog -FUPPETS- has gotten word that the infamous Amorphophallus titania, or "Corpse Flower", has begun it's wretched stink. It has taken a couple of weeks to get here but it has been well worth it.
The stench is so wretched that the HMNS staff that attend to the flower have started wearing gas masks. No lie!

Well, Houston – the stank is upon us.

We got the call at 4:30 this morning, with the news that those of you who were queing up to see her overnight already knew – Lois is a stinky, stinky plant.

Seriously. She smells. Bad.

So bad that staff and media in the gallery with Lois are availing themselves of gas masks to cope. And we’re not even to peak stink yet. Lois’ spadix (the tall center spike) is heating up – and that heat is what helps the stench to spread. As of 7 am, the spadix was 90 degrees, while the surrounding environment was a mere 81. Zac [the museum's resident horticulturist] has also measured Lois height a final time – and she stands at 69.75 inches tall. - ( Erin F. - HMNS )

The Beginning of the Bloom [Corpse Flower] 7.21.10 from HMNS on Vimeo.

There have been only 28 other blooms of this flower in the U.S. since it was discovered and brought over here by horticulturists in the 19th century. It is a very rare sight and smell indeed.