BLOOMING IN BROOKLYN: RARE CORPSE FLOWER ENTHRALLS VISITORS
Visitors to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden gathered with excitement and trepidation this week as the rare Amorphophallus gigas, known colloquially as the corpse flower, bloomed for the first time since its arrival in 2018. Described for its dramatic stature and infamously pungent scent, the flower draws curious onlookers eager to capture the moment and withstand its notorious odor.
The smell of the flower, which has been likened to rotting flesh, is part of its evolutionary strategy to attract pollinators. "It smells like feet, cheese and rotten meat. It just smelled like the worst possible combination of smells," said Elijah Blades, who was among the many visitors on hand to witness the unusual event. His reaction was emblematic of many who braved the sweetly disgusting haze of the bloom.
Chris Sprindis, the garden's dedicated horticulturist, made the public aware of this exciting development. He first noticed the inflorescence, or cluster of flowers, on New Year’s Eve and explained, “So, this is the first time it’s happened here. It’s not going to happen next year. It’s going to be several years before it happens again.” This makes the current blooming not just a spectacle but also a rare opportunity for those interested in botany and nature.
The Amorphophallus gigas—a close relative of the more famous Amorphophallus titanum, or titan arum—originates from the dense rainforests of Sumatra. The unique plant can grow to reach heights of up to 10 feet, making it one of the larger flowering plants. This considerable size is not just for show; it plays another role, assisting the bloom to stand out and attract the attention of pollinators such as carrion beetles and other insects drawn to its smell.
The recent bloom at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden is part of what some environmentalists see as growing public interest and engagement with unique botanical specimens. A similar event occurred recently at the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, where visitors waited for hours to catch a glimpse of the distinguished corpse flower as it experienced its own blooming, the first time this had happened there in 15 years. Comparatively, the Sydney plant had started blooming earlier this month, showcasing the just how closely aligned these unique events can reflect around the globe.
The phenomena surrounding these rare blooms extend beyond mere aesthetics and local interest. It has become something of a nature-focused social media spectacle, with many visitors frequently sharing their experiences online. The Brooklyn Botanic Garden has encouraged these interactions, inviting guests to take selfies beside the large flower and post their reactions, creating both buzz and education among the populace.
Despite the fleeting nature of the bloom—lasting merely days before wilting and collapsing—the excitement around this natural wonder has permeated the garden’s typical quiet atmosphere. Visitors reported lines forming early as they awaited their chance to experience the mix of awe and disgust firsthand.
Throughout history, flowers like the corpse flower have served as important reminders of biodiversity and plant conservation efforts. The infrequent blooming patterns of such plants put them at risk of being forgotten; this recent experience at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden reinforces their significance not only as botanical specimens but also as cultural touchstones, offering hands-on engagement with nature.
“It has hundreds of flowers inside the bloom, both male and female,” gardener Sprindis elucidated about the plant, illuminating its complex nature. This gender differentiation showcases the variety of adaptations plants have developed for reproduction—an aspect of both wonder and scholarly intrigue for biology enthusiasts.
With the conclusion of this blooming event, the whisper of anticipation begins to set for the next time it might happen here. Until then, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden remains lively, not only serving as home to this magnificent yet malodorous flower but also as guardians of countless other plants, continually working toward sharing the beauty and science of botany with the world.
The corpse flower's bloom, both delighting and repulsing its audience, stands as proof of the many surprises Mother Nature can present. For those who experienced it, the memory of both the visual and the olfactory will linger long after the plant has returned to dormancy—readying itself, perhaps, for another stunning comeback years down the line.