Two endangered corpse flowers are set to bloom at the same time at The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens in San Marino, California, in July 2026.
The two titan arums are currently on public display, with their blooms expected within the next couple of weeks, the institution announced.
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This rare event allows researchers and the public to observe a species with fewer than 1,000 individuals remaining in its native Indonesian rainforests.
Extraordinary Opportunity
“To have one Corpse Flower bloom is special—to have two at the same time is extraordinary,” said Nicole Cavender, the Telleen/Jorgensen Director of the Botanical Gardens.
“This moment provides The Huntington with a special opportunity to pursue three of its most important missions: research, education, and conservation.”
Botanists use these short-lived blooms to learn more about the unusual species, which emits a pungent odor resembling rotting flesh to attract pollinators.
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The bloom consists of hundreds of tiny flowers that can grow up to six inches daily, reaching a total height of over 12 feet before collapsing into a dormant phase lasting years.
“With each flowering, botanists learn more about this unusual plant, while The Huntington shares with its visitors not only some fascinating new facts but also an increased appreciation for the wonder and diversity of the plant kingdom,” Cavender added.
One of the specimens, nicknamed Odora, previously flowered at the facility in 2024.
The Huntington has recorded 29 corpse flower blooms since 1999, the highest number among institutions in the Western United States.
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The institution is currently hosting an Instagram campaign to name the newly debuting bloom.
