The giant, smelly "corpse flower" at the New York Botanical Garden is blooming right now — and you can watch it live.
Back up video to watch the corpse flower begin to unfurl.
The flower, which is officially known as Amorphophallus titanium, is only at peak bloom for 24 to 36 hours and is known for releasing the odor of rotting meat. It attracts pollinators who eat dead animals.
It takes seven to 10 years for the flower to begin its bloom cycle, and it's been nearly 80 years since a corpse flower bloomed at the garden. The first one bloomed on June 8, 1937, and former Bronx Borough President James Lyons celebrated by making it the official flower of the borough until it was replaced by the daylily in 2000, according to the garden.
The specimen that is currently blooming was acquired in 2007.
The corpse flower began its bloom during one of the garden's evening al Fresco Concerts. Visitors to the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory could be seen snapping photos of the flower in the on the garden's live feed.
Heads up that we’ll be open 9 a.m.–8 p.m. to accommodate the corpse flower bloom tomorrow!
— NY Botanical Garden (@NYBG) July 28, 2016
The garden was selling tickets to see the rare bloom Thursday. It also announced on Twitter that it would be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday to accommodate botanical enthusiasts who want to see the corpse flower.
More information is available at NYBG.org.
