If there is ever a time to take “don’t judge a book by its cover” seriously, it is now. While the Corpse flower in Seattle has beautiful hues of pink petals and green leaves, the smell emerging from the flower is not so pretty. But this didn’t stop visitors from seeing the “dead flower” at Amazon Spheres when it finally bloomed.
Amazon Spheres Witness Much Awaited Bloom Of ‘Corpse Flower’
It was the worth waiting to get whiff and have a look at the Corpse Flower blooming at @SFConservatory. When I visited it was no longer pungent. The flower is beautiful with an incredible color that inspired me to capture the palette for my Lines and Color Series. #art pic.twitter.com/6OmSsruxiq
— Mr. Squirrel 🌊 🇺🇦🏳️🌈 (@Squirrelcoats) July 13, 2023
This week, people formed a line at Amazon’s unique Seattle office building called the Spheres. But, they weren’t there for a celebrity photo op. Instead, the long queue was to see a special plant.
It was the latest version of Amazon’s famous corpse flower, called “Morticia 2.0.” The plant doesn’t bloom often, so there was a limited time window to see it, smell it, and take a photo. Scientifically known as Amorphophallus Titanium, the “Morticia 2.0” originates from the same family tree as the corpse flower.
On July 12, Amazon informed its employees that the plant would bloom that night. They also opened an online reservation system for the public. This was as per reports by GeekWire. The reservations filled up quickly and people were reported waiting past midnight for the opportunity to enter the Spheres.
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Despite Rotten Smell, Corpse Flower Gets Attention From Enthusiasts
Amazon has successfully cultivated multiple corpse flowers over the years. “Morticia 2.0” came from the same roots as the original Morticia. Another flower named Bellatrix grew to a height of 6-feet in 2019. They are all variations of the corpse flower.
According to Amazon, this plant has the world’s largest unbranched flowering structure. It takes at least seven years for the plant to bloom for the first time, but the bloom only lasts around 48 hours, reports GeekWire.
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During its bloom, the plant emits a foul odour, which gives it the name “corpse flower.” It can generate heat up to 98 degrees to attract pollinators like flies and carrion beetles. Have you heard about the “Corpse Flower” before and if so, have you seen it in person yet?
Let us know in the comments what your experience was or when you’re planning to marvel at this beauty.
Cover image courtesy: Wikimedia Commons