Location: Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
Address: Queen Victoria Park, Niagara Parkway
Date: June 2015
Website: www.niagaraparks.com
We visited the Floral Showhouse in Niagara Falls in order to see one of the largest unbranched flowers in the world. The scientific name is Amorphophallus Titanium and the largest flower ever recorded was just over 10 feet tall. The common name is Titan Arum or sometimes they are referred to as the Corpse Flower. The Floral Showhouse has several Titan Arums which originate from the jungles of Sumatra. The closed pod in front is named Clive and is expected to open up sometime in the week of June 21st, 2015. The other tall stalk behind is a Titan Arum in leaf and it can grow over 20 feet tall. We believe that plant is named Morph. Both Clive and Morph flowered back in 2012. It is normal for it to be from 2 to 10 years before a plant blooms again.
Below is a chart that shows the cycle of the Titan Arum. In the center you can see what Clive will look like when he is in full bloom. The bloom may last only for a day or two. Unfortunately, the bloom is also accompanied by a horrible smell. The reason for the name of Corpse Flower is because it emits a smell like a rotting animal carcass. This is designed to attract all kinds of bugs to the flower in order to help with pollination
So if you find yourself admiring the beauty of Niagara Falls, take a walk out of the mist and head further past the falls. As you wander in the garden near the Floral Showhouse be sure to take a long deep breath. If something smells awful then you just might be lucky enough to witness a rare Titan Arum in bloom. Head inside, hold your nose and declare "One ticket please!"
Map of Our World
Floral ShowhousePost # 58
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