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For Immediate Release 

CORPSE FLOWER SET TO BLOOM AT THE MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN 
"Lucy” will be the Garden’s 18th bloom of the endangered Amorphophallus titanum  

(ST. LOUIS):  A rare Amorphophallus titanum plant is expected to bloom soon at the Missouri Botanical Garden. 

Commonly known as a titan arum, or “corpse flower,” it is a large, fast-growing plant in the Aroid family. The plant, native to Sumatra, Indonesia, is known for the intense, foul odor emitted from a tall spike of small flowers, often lasting just 24 hours. The smell and plant coloration mimic rotting flesh to attract pollinators such as flies. 

Although an increasing number of titan arums exist in cultivation, the plant is listed as Endangered in the wild by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Species. The plant is native to the tropical forests on the island of Sumatra in Indonesia. The Garden grows titan arums as part of its commitment to plant conservation. A titan arum can take five to ten years to grow from seed until it is ready for its first bloom. Since 2012, the Garden has hosted 17 Amorphophallus titanum blooms. 

This plant, Lucy, is blooming for the first time at the Garden! Lucy is a seven-year-old tuber weighing 30.5 pounds. Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden gifted Lucy to the Missouri Botanical Garden in 2019. Lucy is the third to bloom from this 2019 gift. 

Lucy is currently located in the Climatron. Viewing is included with Missouri Botanical Garden admission of $16 for general admission and free for children ages 12 and under. St. Louis City and County residents enjoy discounted admission of $6 and free admission on most Wednesday and Saturday mornings until noon. Missouri Botanical Garden members are free. 

Visitors who want to learn more about the spectrum of scents plants create can stop by the Peter and Stephen Sachs Museum for its newest exhibition, “Smelling the Bouquet.” This new interactive exhibition includes the opportunity to sniff over two dozen scents that include several interpretive fragrances of the Garden’s live plants as well as botanical compounds renowned for use in perfumery. 

Garden experts estimate Lucy will bloom between May 29 and June 5.  Stay tuned to the Garden's social media pages for more updates. 

Images of Lucy, as well as past corpse flowers, can be found in this folder. The photographer’s name is included in the file name for credit. 

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The Missouri Botanical Garden’s mission is “to discover and share knowledge about plants and their environment in order to preserve and enrich life.” Today, 166 years after opening, the Missouri Botanical Garden is a National Historic Landmark and a center for science, conservation, education, and horticultural display.