July 12, 2018
PRESS CONTACT: Maryam Nabi, (415)264-0833, mnabi@sfcof.org
One of the world’s largest and stinkiest blooms will open likely in the next week
San Francisco, CA – First there was Terra the Titan, a bloom that caused a stink at the Conservatory of Flowers in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park last summer. Now meet Suma the Titan, an Amorphophallus titanum (commonly known as “Corpse Flower” or “Titan Arum”) that will likely open next week. Its peak bloom, which is accompanied with a foul smell in the evenings, will last for only 2-3 days.
The Amorphophallus bloom is renowned for its incredible size and the strong odor it emits. The scent is a deception device that tricks pollinators into thinking the plant is rotting organic matter. A rare spectacle, the Corpse Flower plant goes through years of dormancy and leaf cycles. It blooms approximately every 7-10 years, after it has stored enough energy to bloom.
“For those who missed the Corpse Flower last year, now they can experience this rare botanical wonder,” said Matthew Stephens, Director of Conservatory of Flowers. “And if you visited last year, the smell never gets old.”
“Usually, only one structure – either a leaf or an inflorescence – emerges from an Amorphophallus during each cycle,” said Kristen Natoli, Chief Nursery Specialist. “When Suma’s bud started to appear we were at the edge of our seat,” she added.
This will be the first bloom for Suma. The ten year old plant is a sibling to last year’s Corpse Flower bloom, Terra the Titan. Though no longer in bloom, visitors can also make a stop at the Potted Plants Gallery to check out Terra in its current cycle as a leaf.
In order to accommodate visitors to this rare natural spectacle, the Conservatory of Flowers will extend its hours during the peak days of the bloom.
Visitors are encouraged to track the bloom’s actual progress via the Conservatory’s Instagram or Facebook.
For more information, visit www.conservatoryofflowers.org.
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About Conservatory of Flowers
Conservatory of Flowers is a spectacular living museum of rare and beautiful tropical plants under glass. From Borneo to Bolivia, nearly 2,000 species of plants at the Conservatory represent unusual flora from more than 50 countries around the world. Immersive displays in five galleries include the lowland tropics, highland tropics, aquatic plants and potted plants. Opened in 1879, the wood and glass greenhouse is the oldest existing wood and glass conservatory in North America and has attracted millions of visitors to Golden Gate Park since it first opened its doors. It is designated as a city, state and national historic landmark and was one of the 100 most endangered sites of the World Monuments Fund.
About San Francisco Recreation and Park Department (SF Rec & Parks)
SF Recreation and Park Department overseen by the Recreation and Park Commission stewards more than 4,000 acres of recreation and open space that includes more than 220 parks, playgrounds, and open spaces, in addition to Sharp Park and Camp Mather located outside the city limits. The park system includes 25 recreation centers, 9 swimming pools, 5 golf courses, and numerous tennis courts, ball diamonds, soccer fields and other sports venues. Includes in the Department’s responsibilities are iconic landmarks such as the Conservatory of Flowers, Coit Tower, Palace of Fine Arts, Golden Gate Park, as well as the Marina Yacht Harbor, Lake Merced, and the San Francisco Zoo. The Department’s mission is to provide enriching recreational activities, maintain beautiful parks, and preserve the environment for the well-being of the City’s diverse community. More about SF Rec & Parks, please visit: www.sfparksalliance.org.