Corpse flower opens at Estepona orchidarium

2017-03-15 07:00:00

Plant enthusiasts only have a few hours left to see an example of the largest unbranched inflorescence in the world at the Estepona orchid house.

The flower belongs to a titan arum (Amorphophallus titanium) and opened on Monday. It can reach more than a metre in height -with the central spadix double that- and will stay open for pollination for just 72 hours. It is expected to start closing again from tomorrow, Wednesday.

The flower before it opened. / L. P.
Part of its 'attraction' (to insects only) is its scent which has been compared to that of rotting flesh, hence its common name 'the corpse flower'. It is the first titan arum to flower in Spain and updates are being posted on Facebook Orchidarium Estepona.

The orchid house is open from 9.30am to 6pm from Tuesday to Saturday and 9.30am to 2pm on Sunday. The entry fee is three euros.source surinenglsih