Catch foul-smelling flower at Franklin Park Conservatory as soon as this week
The Franklin Park Conservatory is preparing for a rare and exciting event. The voodoo lily, or Amorphophallus konjac, is set to bloom and visitors can catch its unusual smell firsthand.
The unique plant is closely related to the infamous corpse flower and is known for its distinct, putrid odor that emulates the scent of rotting flesh.
But unlike the corpse flower, the voodoo lily is smaller and blooms more frequently, making it more accessible for visitors to experience.
The voodoo lily typically only blooms once per year, but it may take three to five years for younger plants to flower for the first time. After the foliage dies off in the fall, the plant enters a period of dormancy that lasts for a few months. Then, in late winter or early spring, the plant blooms, revealing its unique and fascinating flower.
The conservatory estimates the voodoo lily will be in bloom within the week, and will update guests via its social media channels.
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The unique sensory experience will be available for a limited time, as the plant is typically in bloom for about two days at a time.
The exotic plant can be found in the conservatory's rainforest biome, which provides a warm and humid climate for foliage including the chocolate tree and cacao tree.
Franklin Park Conservatory is open daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
tmoorman@dispatch.com
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Franklin Park Conservatory's voodoo lily expected to bloom soon
