After more than a decade of anticipation, Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center is thrilled to showcase a rare corpse flower bloom. This occasion marks the first time in 13 years that a corpse flower has bloomed from the Gardens’ collection.
Affectionately named “Elenore,” this corpse flower is a baby of “Lenore” that bloomed in 2013. It grew as an offset of the underground corm and was removed from the mother plant in 2017. Shangri La Gardens received Lenore from Tindara Orchids in September 2011.
“Our team has eagerly waited for this special bloom to take place. We’ve been tracking Elenore’s growth since early April,” said Jennifer Buckner, director of horticultural operations at Shangri La Gardens. “We are excited to be able to share another one of our corpse flowers blooming. It’s a rare opportunity for our guests to see–and smell–such an unusual and special bloom.”
Corpse flowers (Amorphophallus titanum) are known for being the largest, unbranched inflorescence in the world. These plants belong to the Aroid Family and can reach a height of 10 feet or more, growing rapidly in warm, humid conditions. Because of the amount of energy that the plant needs to form the flower, it is incredibly rare for a bloom to occur. A bloom lasts only 24 to 48 hours roughly every 10 years. True to its name, the flower carries a powerful odor, often compared to decomposing matter. This scent serves a significant purpose by attracting pollinators like carrion beetles and flies.
“This is a truly momentous occasion for our Garden and community,” said Angie Mason, executive director of Shangri La Gardens. “The corpse flower bloom is a remarkable reminder of the patience needed to fully embrace the beauty of nature.”
Native to Sumatra, an island of Indonesia, corpse flowers are found in tropical lowland forests near rivers. The corpse flower is on the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) list because there are estimated to be less than 1,000 individuals in the wild. This plant is endangered and endemic to the rainforest in Sumatra.
The corpse flower is currently on view in the Classroom Greenhouse at Shangri La Gardens. Admission is free of charge. Regular hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the last entry at 4:30 p.m. On Wednesday, May 6, the Garden is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. with the last entry at 6:30 p.m. Additional extended Garden hours will be offered to the public in consideration of how Elenore’s bloom timeline evolves. Shangri La Gardens encourages the public to stay tuned to their social media channels for the most up-to-date information on extended hours.
As Elenore progresses, Shangri La Gardens will provide updates on their Facebook and Instagram pages, in addition to their website. A real-time bloom camera will livestream the corpse flower via shangrilagardens.org/corpse-flower.
Shangri La Gardens and Nature Center is located at 2111 West Park Avenue in Orange, Texas. For more information, please visit shangrilagardens.org.
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