Key Takeaways

• Corpse plant bloom appears once every 7 to 10 years.
• Female flowers emit huge amounts of organic sulfur.
• A single bloom lasts only two nights.
• Hot temperatures boost the plant’s scent.
• New research measured how the smell changes overnight.

All About the Corpse Plant’s Rare Bloom

Cosmo’s Story in Colorado

Scientists at a Colorado university watched a Titan arum named Cosmo bloom. They had kept Cosmo in a growth facility for years. Then, one spring night, Cosmo’s large outer sheath split open. Soon it towered over 10 feet tall. Visitors came from all around. Meanwhile, researchers prepared their air-sampling instruments.

How the Bloom Unfolds

A corpse plant lives in Sumatra’s jungles. It waits seven to ten years to bloom. Then it only stays open for two nights. First, the female flowers inside the plant release a rotten smell. Next, the male flowers open and make a sweeter scent. As a result, insects carry pollen between plants.

How the Corpse Plant Lures Its Pollinators

The Stinkiest Night: Female Flowers Work Hard
On the first night, the female flowers shine. They heat themselves using stored energy. Then they make organic sulfur compounds. For example, they produce methanethiol, which smells like skunk spray. They also release garlic- and cabbage-like odors. Beetles and flies race toward these scents.

Researchers used devices to collect air samples near Cosmo. They tracked volatile chemicals that drifted off the flowers. Next, they measured each compound with a gas chromatography mass spectrometer. It works like the tools you see on crime shows. That way, they could see which chemicals peaked at night.

A Cooler Second Night: Male Flowers Take Over

On the second night, male flowers bloom. They don’t work as hard to make smell. In fact, they emit less sulfur and more sweet-smelling chemicals. Scientists measured benzyl alcohol and benzaldehyde in the air. These scents help insects leave with pollen. Then the insects seek another corpse plant for female flowers.

Why Thermogenesis Matters

Thermogenesis means a plant heats itself. Corpse plants use this trick to spread scent farther. They warm their spadix to above 95 degrees Fahrenheit. As a result, they boost the release of their smelly molecules. However, the male bloom only warms up a little. That shift shows how the plant saves energy on the second night.

Smell, Pollution, and Pollinators
Plant scents must survive in the air to attract bugs. Yet pollution can break down flower chemicals. Thankfully, the corpse plant’s sulfur compounds resist oxidation. Therefore, these smells travel far through the forest. In contrast, some fragrant molecules degrade quickly in polluted air. That can make it harder for insects to find blooms.

Why This Study Matters

Until now, no one had measured emission rates during a single bloom. Thanks to the Colorado team, we now know how each night differs. They proved that female flowers shed a measurable part of their weight in scent. Also, they found evidence that the plant may trap insects inside its chamber. Thus, flies stay until male flowers open.

This research offers fresh insight into the corpse plant’s clever tricks. It highlights the power of mixing heat and smell to win pollinators. Moreover, it shows why every rare bloom deserves study. Since corpse plants are endangered, each bloom brings new knowledge.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes a corpse plant bloom so rare?

Corpse plants spend most of their lives underground. They need years of energy to build their massive flowers. As a result, they only bloom once every 7 to 10 years.

Why do corpse plants smell like rotten meat?

They attract flies and beetles that feed on carrion. To lure these insects, the plant creates sulfur compounds. These chemicals mimic the scent of decaying flesh.

How long does a corpse plant bloom last?

Each bloom lasts two nights. On the first night, female flowers release strong, rotting-meat scents. On the second night, male flowers produce milder, sweeter aromas.

Can corpse plant scents travel far?

Yes. The plant heats itself during bloom. This heat helps send smell molecules far into the air. Also, the sulfur compounds resist breaking down in polluted conditions.