Rare corpse flower begins long-awaited bloom late Tuesday afternoon in K-State greenhouse

One of the rarest, largest flowers in the world, which earned the nickname “corpse flower” — because it emits a dead-animal stench — began to bloom late Tuesday afternoon at Kansas State University.

The Titan Arum, known for the unpleasant smell it emits in an attempt to attract bugs that feed off of carcasses, is close to blooming for the first time since it was planted 15 years ago. The excitement of the rare event — the bloom only lasts 24 to 36 hours — drew horticultural professor Chad Miller home early from a family vacation.

As word got out that the flower began to bloom Tuesday, people filtered in to see the flower and see its unique essence.

Olathe teacher April Schoenberg is at K-State this week for a science institute that teaches her techniques and way to interest young people in science.

Read more: http://cjonline.com/news/local/2017-06-27/rare-corpse-flower-begins-long-awaited-bloom-late-tuesday-afternoon-k-state