Staff members visiting the Tropical Butterfly House this morning were greeted with an odd, unpleasant odor. Fortunately, the aroma was not the result of a something rotting in the ventilation system but in fact, a very special blooming plant: Amorphophallus bulbifer, a corpse plant!
The smell is intended to attract insects which are important pollinators of this plant. Also known as the Voodoo Lily, our plant ("Pinky") has a large pink flower about the size of a football. There are over 150 different species in the genus Amorphophallus, all found in tropical and subtropical zones.
Come see “Pinky” soon! It doesn’t bloom every year and will only last about a week. So take a whiff and enjoy it while you can!
You can find “Pinky” in the southwest corner of the center island of the garden, across from the emergency exit. Or just follow your nose!
Stinky Pinky! Was that on purpose?
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