"Mr. Stinky Junior," a 3-foot Titan Arum plant, one of the most spectacular blooms in the world, smells like roadkill and is expected to make history at any moment.
Miami, FL (July 19, 2021) - Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, the historic botanical garden that is one of the premier conservation and education-based gardens globally, welcomes back visitors to celebrate the rarest bloom of its titan arum, also known as the "corpse flower." Affectionately known as Mr. Stinky Junior, The Amorphophallus titanum, also known as a Titan Arum, has been called the world's largest flower but is technically an "inflorescence," or a cluster of flowers. It can reach more than 8 feet in height when it blooms, opening to a diameter of 4 feet. Although Mr. Stinky Junior is not expected to reach that height and diameter, the spectacular visual is set to bloom this week.
When in one of its ultra-rare blooms, it gives off an odor akin to rotting flesh, attracting insects that pollinate the flowers deep inside. The last Titan Arum bloom was in 2003. What prompts a particular plant to start the blooming process largely remains a mystery, but the corpse flower tends to bloom during hot weather.
Additionally, one of the most exciting occurrences is that just a few miles from the Garden is Zoo Miami which is also celebrating the blooming of their Titan Arum. This incredible opportunity will allow botanists to cross pollinate in real time. The once in a lifetime pollination and research will be done by Dylan Morales, a rising senior at BioTECH Richmond Heights, the world's only Botany and Zoological magnet school. The STEM research-based curriculum at BioTECH at Richmond Heights develops students to become global citizens with a deep understanding of the value of all living organisms for the sustainability of Earth’s biosphere.
WHEN: Once it blooms this week, viewing will be opened to the public for a limited time at the Whitman Tropical Fruit Pavilion. Viewing is available on the day of bloom during regular business hours. Those anxious to take a peek at the waning, colorful blossoming of a rare plant that emits a powerful odor for which it is dubbed the "corpse plant” can stay up to speed with the latest on Fairchild's social media channels:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fairchildgarden/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FairchildGarden/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FairchildGarden
WHERE: The Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
10901 Old Cutler Rd
Coral Gables, FL 33156
*on display at the Whitman Tropical Fruit Pavilion
HOW: Once Fairchild announces the bloom on their social media channels, visitors will have a very short time to witness one of the most sought-after blooms in the world.
Admission is $25 for adults, $18 for seniors 65 and up, $12 for children 6-17, and free for Fairchild members and children five and under. Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is located at 10901 Old Cutler Road, Coral Gables, FL. 33156. For more information, please visit www.fairchildgarden.org or call 305 667 1651.
About Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden
Established in 1938, the 83-acre Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to tropical plant education and conservation. Home to over 6,000 palms, cycads, orchids, tropical fruit trees, and more, this garden, research, and educational space aims to inspire a passion for and more excellent knowledge of plants and gardening. Along with an annual calendar of academic and social programming, Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden hosts a series of special events, like the Chocolate Garden, Orchid Garden, The NightGarden, International Mango Festival, and more. For more information about the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens or to become a member, visit www.fairchildgarden.org.
MEDIA CONTACT:
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Interviews with Fairchild Botanist available upon request