June 5, 2006 :: No. 268a
| What: |
The Fullerton Arboretum’s Titan Arum or “Corpse Flower” — a plant that emits a pungent odor that smells like rotting meat — is now blooming and on public display. |
| When: |
Titan Arum is expected to be fully open by 8 p.m., according to Chris Barnhill, living plants curator at the Fullerton Arboretum, which is open tonight until 9.
Tuesday viewing hours are 8 a.m.- 9 p.m.
Wednesday viewing hourss ar 8 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.
After Wednesday, the plant’s central column, or spadix, is expected to collapse.
Titan Arum will be on display for about a week following the collapse of the spadix, before being moved back into the Fullerton Arboretum’s greenhouse. |
| Where: |
Fullerton Arboretum’s Orange County Agricultural and Nikkei Heritage Museum
1900 Associated Road, Fullerton, 92831
Northeast corner of Cal State Fullerton, Associated Road entrance |
| Cost: |
Free and open to the public |
| Information: |
657-278-3579 or www.arboretum.fullerton.edu |
| Background: |
The Corpse Flower is just one of the more than 4,000 unique plant species in the Fullerton Arboretum’s collection. It is native to the rain forests of central Sumatra in Indonesia. When the plant flowers, it produces a stench, presumably to attract insects, such as flies and carrion beetles, that normally feed on dead animals. The insects then carry pollen from one plant to another, pollinating the plant’s flowers.
Tiffy’s spadix is just over four feet tall and is growing 3-4 inches each day. The spathe, which surrounds the spadix, should reach a width of almost three feet across once the plant is in full bloom. Tiffy was sown from seed in 1993 and typically blooms every three or four years. |
| Media Contacts: |
Chris Barnhill, Fullerton Arboretum, 657-278-2981 or cbarnhill@fullerton.edu
Mark Costello, Friends of the Fullerton Arboretum,
657-278-8374 or mcostello@fullerton.edu
Robby Nisenfeld, Public Affairs, 657-278-3798 or rnisenfeld@fullerton.edu |
