Aug. 30--The rare corpse flower that has become a sensation at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe was opened by scientists Sunday morning in front of hundreds of curious onlookers packed inside the plant's greenhouse home.
Garden staff had hoped the plant, technically a titan arum, would open on its own, showcasing its tan and purple flowers as it unleashed a stinky odor. But after exhibiting signs of opening, the plant, named Spike by staff, never opened.
After waiting more than a week, scientists decided to cut around the base of the plant to remove its outer covering in an effort to determine more about the plant and why it may have decided to remain closed. Scientists believe Spike did not have enough energy to force itself open, deciding to end the process cycle and try again another time.
The plant is not sick, and the fact that it did not open on its own does not mean it will not again, scientists said.
"It's disappointing that it didn't open because it's really quite splendid," said Chicago Botanic Garden conservation scientist Patrick Herendeen, who narrated the opening to the crowd. "They're amazing plants. Their flowers are amazing and their odor is amazing. However, this is not unprecedented. It just didn't perform as expected. But that's just like our garden plants at home."
More than 50,000 people have seen Spike since the beginning of August, the garden said.
The titan arum (Amorphophallus titanum) is a rare plant native to the rainforests of Sumarta. There may be only one plant per 40 hectares in the wild. They rarely open, but when they do they produce a strong, pungent odor to attract pollinators.
Visitors snaked past the plant throughout the morning at the botanic garden, taking photos of the large spadix and touching the spathe, the outer parts of the plant removed by scientists. The spathe is spongy and rubbery, sort of like a bok choy leaf.
Scientists are examining the spathe and flowers to determine more about the plant, and also will search for pollen in an effort to harvest it for future plant breeding.
