Thursday, July 22, 2010

World's Largest Flower!

Another in a series of posts that I occasionally make when I am at home-sweet-home and NOT traveling!

Almost two weeks ago, I visited the Houston Museum of Natural Science to witness the blooming of what is described as the world's largest flower. [This particular plant species, which scientists call Amorphophallus Titanum, is a native to the rainforests of Sumatra, Indonesia.] The problem for me, however, was that when I visited the museum (Friday, July 9) the flower had not yet fully bloomed. Well, it is now - finally - starting to open up.

This flower is on display in the Butterfly exhibit ($8.00 USD admission price) which is located within the Houston Museum of Natural Science.
UPDATE (JULY 27th): Well, the flower has finally bloomed and is now, sadly, all gone. A final picture of the flower was captured. There were plenty of webcams showing the progress of the flower's growth. Now that the flower has bloomed, it is entering a dormant state and may re-bloom in several years. Maybe! While it was blooming over this past weekend, it reportedly smelled like rotting flesh!

3 comments:

Hindsfeet said...

Too cool, TC!!! I always look forward to the treats you bring us from around the world - er, well, in this case, from your own back yard ; )

Thanks for the webcam link too!

: )

Searching Soul said...

Is this the same as the Rafflesia found in Malaysia? I am so happy to be treated with your snapshots of places and life's phases. Thanks, TC!

chemist said...

Seaching Soul:

Not sure if this is the same as the Malaysian flower you mentioned. I re-read the sign posted next to the flower and it made no reference to another species other than the one in Sumatra. However, in view of the proximity of Sumatra and Malaysia, it could very well be the same plant.

Traveling Chemist