SEATTLE-- The foul-smelling corpse flower growing inside the University of Washington botany greenhouse is hours away from gassing out visitors.
UW botanists say that they believe that the Amorphophallus titanum flower is opening Wednesday night. They expect to be fully opened around 11:30 p.m. or midnight.
When the flower blooms, it gives off the stench of rotting flesh, thus the nickname corpse flower. It is about 55 inches tall and started as a seed more than 15 years ago.
UWbotanists said the odor from the flower is strongest the first night in bloom, but can linger for days, smelling something closer to latrines, gym bags, or overcooked cabbage.
The UWgreenhouse is open to the public from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. It is located next to Kincaid Hall on Stevens Way. There is no parking at the greenhouse.
