Joint media release: Corpse Flower blooming in Canberra

The Hon Tanya Plibersek MP, Minister for the Environment and Water
Alicia Payne MP, Member for Canberra

Images available: Corpse flower (Amorphophallus titanum)

One of nature’s rarest and most pungent displays is about to take place at the Australian National Botanic Gardens (ANBG) in Canberra, with the rare blooming of a Corpse Flower.

The Corpse Flower, Amorphophallus titanum, is the largest unbranched inflorescence or flower-spike in the world and can grow up to three metres tall. It’s estimated there are less than one thousand specimens of this endangered species left in the wild.

Blooming is a rare event, with each plant typically taking seven to ten years to bloom for the first time.
While flowering usually only lasts between 24 to 48 hours, it provides an unforgettable experience for those lucky enough to witness it.

The bloom produces an intense stench of rotting meat to attract insects like carrion beetles and flies that pollinate the plant, giving it the name Corpse Flower.

This is the first time the ANBG’s specimen, which is at least 10 years old, will flower.

The plant is kept at a consistent temperature of 30°C with up to 85% humidity to replicate the plant's native tropical environment.

Horticulture staff at the Gardens have been closely tracking the growth and temperature of the flower to predict the date the bloom will open.

The ANBG will display the Corpse Flower, which is endemic to Sumatra Indonesia alongside Australia’s two native Amorphophallus species to the public during blooming. Limited tickets for this Sunday and Monday are now available at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1234146889569

The Gardens is planning to collect and store pollen from this bloom which may be used to pollinate flowers in other botanic gardens.

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek MP:

“Following the bloom of Putricia in Sydney, it is wonderful to see the Australian National Botanic Gardens share this rare and exciting event with Canberrans.

“The blooming of this amazing plant is a great way to share the Gardens’ efforts to protect endangered species and support global conservation.

“We’re lucky to have some of the best scientists working to better understand and protect some of the most unique plants in the world, from recording and storing specimens in the seed bank to helping grow seedlings or pollinate other flowers. It’s a very important job.

“The overwhelming public response to events like this shows just how interested the Australian public is in the conservation of rare and fascinating species.”

Quotes attributable to Alicia Payne, Member for Canberra:

“For many, having the opportunity to experience the corpse flower is once in a lifetime. It’s fantastic that the Australian National Botanic Gardens are able to share this experience with Canberrans”

“The work that the ANBG do in preservation and conservation for this endangered species helps the continued existence of corpse flowers, and I know that their hard work in protecting biodiversity is appreciated.”