The San Francisco Conservatory of Flowers has been eagerly gearing up for its rare corpse flower, affectionately named Scarlet, which is about to bloom, something that only happens every three to five years, and today is your last chance to see it.
Corpse flower in bloom
The long time between blooms isn’t the only thing that makes corpse flowers interesting. They are known for an especially pungent odor that is often described as rotting flesh. Corpse flowers only bloom for approximately 48 hours, and yesterday, Scarlet officially bloomed. This means today is most likely your last chance to see Scarlet bloom for at least three years.
To accommodate many eager viewers, the Conservatory of Flowers will open for after-hours viewings from 5 to 9 pm. If you’re a member, you can enjoy either expedited entry during the day or an exclusive viewing from 9 to 10 pm tonight.
About corpse flowers
Corpse flowers are notably large and can reach up to 10 feet tall and 3 feet across in bloom. The flowers originate from Sumatra, Indonesia, and are considered endangered, with fewer than 1,000 left in their natural habitat. The strong, rotting flesh smell attracts beetles and flies, which pollinate the flower.
