The corpse flower stinks — and people love it. Here’s how to see it Raleigh.
A free, stinky celebration that will be experienced by thousands of curious gawkers is returning to N.C. State University’s Arboretum.
One of N.C. State’s rare corpse plants — nicknamed Wolfgang — bloomed Wednesday morning, releasing a pungent odor that can be compared to the smell of rotting flesh. The smell is so distinctive that the blooming of other N.C. State corpse flowers has drawn thousands of visitors from all across the nation.
The last corpse flower to bloom at N.C. State happened in 2021 during the pandemic so people had to register for a viewing spot. No such restrictions exist this time, and extended hours will be offered at the Arboretum for those who want to take an up-close whiff.
Why the corpse flower smells
The titan arum plant is native to the rain forests of Indonesia and can grow to eight feet tall, The News & Observer previously reported. When corpse flowers bloom, they heat to human body temperature, allowing their perfume to rise and float far to attract pollinators.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists the corpse flower as an endangered species due to rapid deforestation.
In 2017, N.C. State plant conservatory curator Diane Mays was given a dormant corm of a corpse flower from Ohio State University’s Biological Science Department. Mays named the flower Wolfgang in keeping with N.C. State’s Wolfpack theme.
The university says Mays has been monitoring Wolfgang’s growth daily and comparing it to other greenhouse-grown titan arums to come up with the predicted bloom date. This will be the first time Wolfgang blooms.
How to watch the corpse flower bloom
The corpse flower is located outside the Ruby C. McSwain Education Center next to the Cascade Fountain at the JC Raulston Arboretum, 4415 Beryl Road in Raleigh.
The JC Raulston Arboretum will offer extended hours during the bloom from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Admission is free.
If you can’t go in-person, N.C. State has set up a livestream at www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFixuArfyls. But you’ll miss the smell.
Follow #StinkyPack on social media to see the plant’s progress.
Go to https://sites.google.com/ncsu.edu/wolfgangthecorpseflower/ for more information about the corpse flower.
This story was originally published June 17, 2023 at 2:25 PM.
