District of Columbia

Second Of Three Corpse Flowers Blooms At The U.S. Botanic Garden
BY RACHEL SADON IN NEWS ON AUG 22, 2017 12:44 PM



The spadix of the first flower, left, has collapsed. The second flower bloomed last night. And the third, background, is expected to bloom over the weekend. (Courtesy of the USBG)

While the spire of the first titan arum has keeled over after blooming on Saturday, the second of three corpse flowers at the U.S. Botanic Garden unfurled Monday night and emitted its signature stench.

Native to Sumatra, Indonesia, the enormous plants spend years storing enough energy for the brief bloom. They (almost always) open at night, emitting the aromatic compounds to attract pollinators. The smell typically wears off by the next afternoon.

Visitors who experienced a rare daytime bloom last year said it reminded them of "rotting fish," "an ode to trash truck, maybe garbage juices," and "boiled cabbage meets gym socks."

The third corpse flower is likely to bloom over the weekend, and it is expected to be the biggest of the bunch, according to USBG spokesman Ray Mims. The Botanic Garden will stay open until 10 p.m. for the occasion.