Something peculiar recently took up residence in The Spheres. An Amorphophallus titanum, better known as a corpse flower, is in the beginning phase of bloom.
The corpse flower usually takes about seven years to produce its first bloom, which only remains open for about 48 hours.
It doesn't have a single flower, but rather a series of small flowers that are exposed when the plant blossoms. It is the largest unbranched flowering structure in the world, and can reach a height of more than nine feet.
Watch the livestream on Twitch
While blooming the corpse flower possesses an odor of rotting flesh, which gives the plant its popular nickname. During this time, it also heats to 98 degrees to help the stench travel farther and attract pollinators.
The corpse flower is native to Sumatra, Indonesia, and is pollinated by flies and carrion beetles.
When not blooming, the corpse flower produces a single leaf that can extend to 15 feet in height and resembles a small tree.
See a previous corpse flower's bloom, also in the Seattle Spheres.
Photo by Dave Quigg
This time-lapse captures nine hours of blooming.
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