‘Corpse flower’ blooms at Zoo and it sure stinks

The rare titan arum plant bloomed early Monday morning at Cleveland MetroParks Zoo.

Date: Monday, July 23, 2007

Height: 57 inches
Width: 32 inches

Cronus bloomed early this morning!

Because of its pungent smell the rare plant is also known as the ‘corpse flower’. The flower is native to the Sumatran rainforest. Thanks to the Zoo’s Rainforest, Clevelanders can get a glimpse, and smell it.

The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo is one of the 20 North American locations boasting a titan arum bloom. You can see bloom history photo feature in this Zoo page. In the adjacent photo, Zoo Horticulture Manager Don Krock inspecting Cronus’ bloom.

The Zoo has had its titan arum (Amorphophallus titanum) for 13 years, and this is the first time it bloomed. It was obtained in 1994 from the National Aquarium in Baltimore. Its next bloom could be years down the line. While the blooming is glorious, it is accompanied by a pungent smell that lasts for about a day. Only 20 North American institutions have reported titan arums blooming. This is the first in the state of Ohio.

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