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When the bloom happens, the flower will emit an odor that has been compared to the smell of decaying flesh.
FORT COLLINS, Colo. — A stinky flower in Colorado is preparing to bloom for the first time in its life.
After seven years of care at the College of Agricultural Sciences’ Conservatory at Colorado State University, a rare corpse flower is poised to bloom sometime around Memorial Day weekend.
University officials said the plant, which can grow up to 8-feet tall, releases a corpse-like smell during bloom. The smell aims to lure pollinators like carrion beetles and flies.
The corpse flower, or Amorphophallus titanum, was brought to the Fort Collins campus during a plant swap and named Cosmo in 2016. Cosmo grew more than five inches last weekend and all signs point towards bloom this Saturday, although the date isn’t certain.
Colorado State University (CSU) Plant Growth Facilities Manager Tammy Brenner said she has been in contact with colleagues from across the country about what to expect.
When the bloom happens, Cosmo will emit an odor that has been compared to the smell of decaying flesh. This will become less pronounced after the first 12-24 hours, and the bloom itself will only last for around two to three days.
“This is a rare occasion and a big deal because it will be the first bloom for the corpse flower here at CSU,” Brenner said.
CSU expects people from around the community to pay Cosmo a visit while he’s in full bloom.
Other corpse flower blooms at places like the Denver Botanic Gardens have attracted large crowds and CSU plans to open its doors for public viewing.
Final details will become available once it becomes clear when the bloom will happen. While all signs point to Cosmo blooming, there’s a slim possibility that it could not happen at all.
Cosmo’s “parents,” Maudine and Woody, both came from Ohio State University and were “born” on May 24, 2013.
“Cosmo came out of dormancy around three weeks ago, and we didn’t expect anything exciting,” said Brenner. “But then two weeks ago, it started looking a little bit more full, a little bit more plump. It started growing and shooting out stalks, and we realized something really big was about to happen.”
Throughout the year, the corpse flower produces a giant stem-like structure and a leaf but goes dormant in the fall when students return to campus from summer break.
“It looks a little sad, so we usually hide it in the back so no one thinks we’re killing it,” Brenner said.
How to see the corpse flower
The public will be able to view the flower from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., each day it’s in bloom, at the CSU Plant Growth Facility Conservatory at 1241 Libbie Coy Way, in Fort Collins. Visitors should be prepared to wait in line.
Corpse flower visitors will be able to park in the South College Avenue Garage at 121 W. Pitkin St.
“At the end of the day, plants are still unpredictable, but with the data we have, we’re eagerly awaiting the bloom,” Brenner said.
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