Corpse Flower (Amorphophallus titanum), Titan Arum
Dr. Ari Novi, Executive Director, U.S. Botanic Garden, captures a thermal image of titan arum while standing on a ladder. The corpse flower, titan arum (Amorphophallus titanum) began blooming at the U.S. Botanic Garden in Washington D.C. on Tuesday, August 2, 2016. It is the first bloom of this particular plant, which is six years old. This 88 inch tall plant, which is one of 11 in the collection, went on view to the public on Friday, July 22. The titan arum, which can grow up to 12 feet tall, is the largest unbranched inflorescence in the plant kingdom and is native to the tropical rainforests of Sumatra, Indonesia. Pollinators are attracted to its odor which is often compared to the stench of rotting flesh, leading to its coomon name 'corpse flower'. (Photo by Jeff Malet)