MEDIA RELEASE

Corpse Plant

The Pana’ewa Rainforest Zoo & Gardens announces the rare flowering of a plant that has the world’s largest un-branched inflorescence (flower). “Stinky 1” is in full bloom today!

Amorphophallus titanum also known as titan arum has the common name of Corpse plant due to its distinctive odor when in full bloom. This “fragrance” resembles rotting meat, to attract carrion feeding beetles and Flesh Flies that pollinate it.

The zoo has two Corpse plants that were donated in 2002 by Artist Hiroshi Tagami. Both plants were estimated to be two years old when they were donated, and have been growing at the zoo for the last nine years.

In April of this year, the zoo was fortunate to have on exhibit a blooming Corpse Plant on loan from a local collector. With this blooming of a Corpse Plant that belongs to the zoo, everyone that missed smelling (and seeing) the first bloom has another chance to visit the zoo for this rare occurrence.

The bloom just tops six feet today, and is located next to the feral pig and across from the large mixed parrot aviary.

Pana‘ewa Rainforest Zoo & Gardens is open daily from 9:00 a.m. til 4:00 p.m., except for Christmas and New Years day.