Rare Cal Poly Corpse Flower Bloom Expected this Week at Campus Plant Conservatory
Contact: Gage Willey
805-756-0727, gwilley@calpoly.edu
SAN LUIS OBISPO — Cal Poly will host a rare corpse flower bloom this week at the campus Plant Conservatory, and the public is invited. The corpse flower is known for its impressive size and stench, as well as years-long gaps between blooms, making for uncommon events when blossoms happen.
When the inflorescence (or flower cluster) of the titam arum (Amorphophallus titanum) shows signs of opening there is a brief window — typically around 24 to 48 hours — when the bloom fully expands (accompanied by a pungent odor said to be reminiscent of rotting flesh) before closing up again. The ephemeral bloom also generates heat of over 90 °F and produces its characteristic carrion odor to attract flesh flies and carrion beetles for pollination.
It’s unclear exactly when the imminent blossom will occur, but campus officials predict this week. When the bloom cycle starts, Plant Conservatory biologists will set visiting hours and alert the public to experience the unusual event.
This will be the first corpse flower blossom at the Cal Poly conservatory, which opened in 2023. Past occurrences took place at the university’s Environmental Horticulture Unit, including a 2020 bloom that drew thousands. Other corpse blooms occurred in 2021 and 2022 at Cal Poly.
While visiting, the public is welcome to explore the other plant displays the conservatory houses. Bring a lunch to enjoy at the shaded outdoor tables located nearby.
Visiting the Plant Conservatory
The Cal Poly Plant Conservatory (Building 72) is on the Cal Poly campus near the entrance of the hike to Poly Canyon. It is recommended that visitors park in the H-16 lot and walk to the Plant Conservatory from the east end of the parking lot. For more information about parking on campus, go to https://afd.calpoly.edu/parking/parkingoncampus.
For questions regarding the corpse flower plant, contact Gage Willey, Plant Conservatory curator, at gwilley@calpoly.edu.
Top photo: A corpse flower in full bloom on the Cal Poly campus from 2021.
Photo by Joe Johnston | Cal Poly
