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Greenhouse Features Rare "Corpse Flower"

Visitors to the campus greenhouse this summer had the opportunity to see a rare corpse flower, Amorphophallus titanium, in bloom. The plant, which is native to tropical areas of Asia, only blooms for a short period of time and emits a pungent odor similar to that of a decomposing corpse or rotten meat.

Nicknamed “Willy P-U” by students and staff, the plant was purchased as a bulb and planted in the greenhouse in 2012 to enhance the University’s collection of plant specimens that support academic courses in the sciences. While it had twice previously sprouted leaves, this was the first time it bloomed.

For a video of the corpse flower blooming, click here

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