A titan arum (aka the “corpse flower”) blooming at Australia’s Royal Botanic Garden Sydney is making headlines. These putrid plants bloom infrequently and unpredictably, so when they do, it’s kind of a big deal.
But did you know Boston is home to two corpse flowers?
The Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University is currently cultivating two titan arums from Ohio State University.
On June 22, 2024 one of those flowers — nicknamed Dame Judi Stench — bloomed for the first time. Watch a time lapse of its growth and collapse.
Don’t worry, you haven’t missed your chance to see (or smell) these flowers. Dame Judi Stench is currently dormant and may bloom again. The second corpse flower — dubbed Pepe le Pew — may make its bloom debut this year.
Neither flower is currently on view, but the Arnold Arboretum is always free. Pro tip: This time of year is great for viewing witch hazel blooms.
