As ephemeral as life itself, the “corpse flower” is back in full — albeit brief — bloom.
The giant, foul-smelling plant only reaches peak flowering for a fleeting 24-to-36-hour period. Friday marks the beginning of the ideal time to experience the horticultural marvel at its most rank as it emanates the smell of rotting meat.
“The corpse flower has begun to open,” says New York Botanical Garden’s Director of Glasshouse Horticulture Marc Hachadourian in a video posted posted on Facebook.
Officially known as the Amorphophallus Titanum, the flowers take seven to 10 years to muster up the stinky energy needed to open. Alas, New Yorkers can’t seem to get enough of its funk.
The corpse flower is on display at The NYBG’s Enid A. Haupt Conservatory in the Bronx, which is also featuring an exhibition on Brazilian modernist artist, plant explorer and conservationist Roberto Burle Marx, who has been a corpse since 1994.
The Haupt Conservatory is extending its hours Friday so visitors can experience this feast for the senses from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. On Saturday, viewing hours run from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The rare and odorous flower began blooming Tuesday evening and is now in full bloom.Getty ImagesIn celebration of the aromatic occasion, NYBG is also hosting a Corpse Flower Happy Hour on the Conservatory Plaza beginning 6 p.m. Friday, with cocktails and other refreshments for purchase.
The flower last bloomed in the Bronx almost a year ago to the day, and before that in 2016, both times to extremely dank hype.
Access to the flower is included in the All-Garden Pass, which runs $23 for adults, $25 for seniors and children and free for children under 2 on weekdays, and $28 for adults and $20 for seniors on weekends.
