ST. LOUIS — A rare corpse flower named “Millie” is expected to bloom soon at the Missouri Botanical Garden.

Referred to as a titan arum, or corpse flower, it is a large, fast-growing plant in the aroid family, and a native plant to Sumatra, Indonesia, according to the Missouri Botanical Garden.

The plant is known for its intense, foul odor that emits from a tall spike of flowers. The smell is used to attract pollinators, such as flies, and the odor can last 24 hours.

While there is an increasing number of titan arums in cultivation, the plant is listed as endangered in the wild by the International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Species. The Garden grows the corpse flowers as part of its commitment to plant conservation. 

The corpse flower at the Garden, named Millie, was a gift from the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. It can take five to 10 years before the plant is ready to bloom, according to the Garden. 

Horticulturist Emily Colletti expects the plant to bloom between June 9-12. The flower typically opens quickly with peak bloom after dark. 

Visitors can see Millie in the Linnean House at the Garden. 

Colletti has curated the Garden’s aroid collection for 22 years and has been with the Garden for each of the corpse flower blooms, which totals 14. 

“Each corpse flower is like one of my plant children. Each bloom is unique, but the same in comparison,” Colletti said. 

“I cannot wait to see what Millie has to teach me about this wondrous giant of the plant kingdom.” 

The Garden will have a livestream on Millie for people to watch. Those interested can check the Garden’s social media for updates.

Source: spectrumlocalnews.com