Visitors Flock to Brooklyn Botanic Garden for Rare Corpse Flower Bloom

Brooklyn Botanic Garden’s Rare “Corpse Flower” Blooms

The Brooklyn Botanic Garden buzzed with excitement recently as visitors flocked to witness a botanical marvel: a rare Amorphophallus gigas, affectionately nicknamed the “corpse flower” for its, well, pungent aroma. This titan of the plant world, native to Sumatra, is renowned for its unusual scent, a potent blend that has been described as “feet, cheese, and rotten meat” by one visitor.

This Amorphophallus relative attracts pollinators with its distinctive fragrance, a strategy that might seem counterintuitive, but proves effective in its native habitat. The bloom, a cluster of hundreds of both male and female flowers, is a rare sight, appearing infrequently.Chris Sprindis, the dedicated gardener responsible for the plant’s wellbeing, first noticed signs of its inflorescence, the flowering structure, around New Year’s Eve.

“So this is the first time it’s happened here,” Sprindis shared. “it’s not going to happen next year. It’s going to be several years before it happens again.”

Sprindis’s observation highlights the rarity of this bloom, a phenomenon that has captivated audiences worldwide. Just weeks ago, a similar spectacle unfolded at the Royal Sydney Botanic Garden, drawing crowds eager to experience the olfactory adventure presented by a blooming Amorphophallus titanum. Visitors described its scent as reminiscent of gym socks and rotting garbage, adding to the intrigue surrounding this unique plant.

This particular bloom marked the first time a corpse flower graced the Royal Sydney Botanic Garden in 15 years, demonstrating the unusual nature of these events. Notably, the plant grew from 10 inches tall in December to over 5 feet tall by Thursday, showcasing its rapid growth spurt.

What Makes the “Corpse Flower” Captivating Despite Its Odor?

While the Amorphophallus gigas’s aroma is undeniably strong, it’s precisely this peculiarity that contributes to its captivating nature. Its scent, a combination of decay and musk, acts as a powerful attractant for specific pollinators, showcasing the fascinating interplay between plants and their environment. Furthermore, the rarity of these blooms adds to their allure, drawing crowds eager to witness this unique spectacle.

brooklyn Botanic Garden’s Corpse Flower Blooms

A hushed excitement filled the air at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden as people gathered, camera phones poised, for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The star of the show? A rare Amorphophallus gigas, a botanical oddity famed for its pungent aroma, affectionately nicknamed the “corpse flower.”

Visitor Elijah Blades, after catching a whiff of the bloom, summed up the experience perfectly: “It smells like feet, cheese, and rotten meat. It just smelled like the worst possible combination of smells.” But for those who braved the olfactory assault, it was a chance to witness a truly unique spectacle.

To learn more about this botanical wonder, we spoke with Garden Gardener Chris Sprindis.

Interview with Chris Sprindis, Brooklyn Botanic Garden Gardener

Archyde: Chris, this Amorphophallus gigas bloom is a rare treat.Can you tell us about its significance for the garden and its visitors?

Chris Sprindis: Absolutely! This is the first time we’ve had this particular Amorphophallus gigas bloom here at the garden. These plants are native to Sumatra and only bloom every few years, making it a truly special occasion. It’s a fantastic opportunity for our visitors to experience something truly unique and learn about the amazing diversity of the plant kingdom.

archyde: What made you aware that the bloom was approaching?

Chris Sprindis: we monitor the plant closely, and you can tell when it’s nearing bloom time by the way the leaves start to turn brown and the spathe starts to develop.It’s all part of a fascinating natural process.

Archyde: How often can visitors expect to see this “corpse flower” bloom?

Chris Sprindis:
Sadly, it’s impossible to say for sure. The Amorphophallus gigas can go for several years between blooms. It definitely depends on the individual plant and its growing conditions.

Archyde: That’s bittersweet news, but understandable. For those who missed it this time, what can you tell them about the experience of witnessing this bloom firsthand?

Chris Sprindis: the scent, let’s just say, is incredibly pungent! It’s why it’s sometimes called the “corpse flower” as it resembles the smell of decaying matter. But it’s also a reminder of the incredible diversity of the plant kingdom.

Archyde: It’s certainly a unique attraction. Do you think the unusual scent adds to the allure or does it detract from it?

Chris Sprindis: I think it definitely adds to the allure. People are naturally drawn to the unusual, and the stench certainly makes this bloom unforgettable! It’s a conversation starter, without a doubt.

The Brooklyn Botanic Garden became a center of attention recently when one of its most fascinating residents, the titan arum, or commonly known as the corpse flower, bloomed.

Chris Sprindis, a horticulturist at the garden, was the first to notice the subtle signs of the impending bloom around New Year’s Eve. What started as a gradual emergence quickly accelerated, transforming into a captivating spectacle. Sprindis explains, “I first observed signs of the inflorescence, which is the cluster of flowers, around New Year’s Eve. It was gradual at first, but then it started growing more rapidly.”

The titan arum’s bloom is a rare and extraordinary event. Visitors who missed this particular instance will have to wait several years for another opportunity. As Sprindis points out, “It’s not going to happen next year.It’s going to be several years before it happens again.”

For those who experienced the bloom firsthand, it was a truly unique encounter. The scent, as Sprindis describes, is “incredibly pungent.” This potent aroma, often likened to the smell of decaying matter, is what earned the plant its rather morbid nickname. Though, beyond the unusual olfactory experience, it serves as a powerful reminder of the incredible diversity of the plant kingdom.

The corpse flower’s distinct smell is undoubtedly a defining characteristic.It’s a point of both fascination and aversion. Sprindis offers his viewpoint: “I think it’s part of what makes it so captivating. It’s certainly not for everyone, but those who appreciate the unusual find it to be an unforgettable experience.”

What strategies does the Brooklyn Botanic Garden employ to ensure optimal growing conditions for rare and unique plants like the Amorphophallus gigas?

Interview with Chris Sprindis, Brooklyn Botanic Garden Gardener

Archyde: Chris, this Amorphophallus gigas bloom is a rare treat.Can you tell us about its importance for the garden and its visitors?

Chris Sprindis: Absolutely! This is the first time we’ve had this particular Amorphophallus gigas bloom here at the garden. These plants are native to Sumatra and only bloom every few years, making it a truly special occasion. It’s a fantastic opportunity for our visitors to experience something truly unique and learn about the amazing diversity of the plant kingdom.

archyde: What made you aware that the bloom was approaching?

Chris Sprindis: we monitor the plant closely,and you can tell when it’s nearing bloom time by the way the leaves start to turn brown and the spathe starts to develop.It’s all part of a interesting natural process.

Archyde: How frequently enough can visitors expect to see this “corpse flower” bloom?

chris Sprindis:
Sadly, it’s impossible to say without a doubt. The Amorphophallus gigas can go for several years between blooms. It definately depends on the individual plant and its growing conditions.

Archyde: That’s bittersweet news, but understandable. For those who missed it this time,what can you tell them about the experience of witnessing this bloom firsthand?

Chris Sprindis: the scent,let’s just say,is incredibly pungent! It’s why it’s sometimes called the “corpse flower” as it resembles the smell of decaying matter. But it’s also a reminder of the incredible diversity of the plant kingdom.

Archyde: It’s certainly a unique attraction. Do you think the unusual scent adds to the allure or does it detract from it?

Chris Sprindis: I think it definitely adds to the allure. People are naturally drawn to the unusual, and the stench certainly makes this bloom unforgettable! It’s a conversation starter, without a doubt.