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CBS News
28-07-2025
- Science
- CBS News
Foul-smelling corpse flower reaches peak bloom as crowds line up in Massachusetts
An extremely rare and foul-smelling flower has reached its peak bloom Sunday night in Dover, Massachusetts. The amorphophallus titanum, or corpse flower, only blooms once every 10 years for a 24-hour period. The flower, named Eliza, can currently be seen at the Massachusetts Horticultural Society in Dover. Experts said the flower grows from a seed, one big tall leaf per year, for about 10 years. Then it literally heats up, creating a gas inside, and then opens. The Massachusetts Horticultural Society was open Sunday night until midnight for people who came to see and smell the flower. "I came because it's a rare event and I always thought it'd be neat to see one of these rare flowers," said visitor Shari Wall. "The smell is not easy to take, it's kind of like a hot garbage can!" "It smells like rotting diapers. Though I hear when it gets hotter, it's more stinkier, so I'm glad I'm here when it's cooler," said visitor Isaac Verardo. Wheaton College grew the corpse flower in their research greenhouse in nearby Norton. In the middle of summer, no one would be on-campus to experience it, so the Massachusetts Horticultural Society agreed to host the event. Anyone interested in braving the flower's rancid smell can visit the Massachusetts Horticultural Society starting Monday at 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. Timed tickets are required to view the flower and can be purchased on their website.
CBS News
25-07-2025
- CBS News
A rare corpse flower is about to bloom in Massachusetts. How you can see and smell it.
A rare corpse flower is about to bloom in Massachusetts. The Massachusetts Horticultural Society in Dover is delighted to host the rare amorphophallus titanum for its long, long-awaited bloom. Pollinating insects aren't the only things buzzing in the Garden at Elm Bank. "There's all sorts of exciting things like that in the plant world and this is one of them," said James Hearsum. It grows from a seed for about a decade before its literal moment in the sun: 24 hours in bloom. Affectionately named Eliza, it was grown in a research greenhouse at Wheaton College, which generously shared the plant so that more people could see it. "It's like any natural thing in the world that's unique or outside your experience. It gives you that experience of awe. It's phenomenal, it's amazing. For many people seeing one of these might be a once or twice in a lifetime kind of thing," said Hearsum, who is president and executive director of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society. And there's a reason it's known as the corpse flower. You'll smell it before you see it. "It's going to smell like dead bodies. Like really old rotten dead flesh. It makes you physically gag. It is cool, people will come in and see it for the experience, but they'll probably keep moving because it's going to be kind of unpleasant smelling in here," he explained. The Massachusetts Horticultural Society, which has about 3,500 members, hopes new visitors will come for the corpse flower, and stay for their stunning property - which offers sunflower and tulip festivals, art classes, and workshops for adults and children that run all year long. "If you ever need an escape and you can't get away, you come to Elm Bank. It really is like a hidden jewel. You can come any season, they have concerts, it's just a very peaceful, tranquil place hidden away right here. It's amazing that we have this. It's almost like as if you took a museum and it's your outdoor museum of nature and art," said volunteer Lisa Heyison. Back on bloom watch, clues like the ruffled leaves and rising temperature suggest the big show between Thursday night and Sunday. When that happens, they'll sell timed tickets online, potentially late into the night to accommodate interest. "As long as people want to see it, then we'll stay open and we'll have people see it but you've got to be quick. It's 24-36 hours and it's done," said Hearsum.
Boston Globe
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
Spring blooms create a bountiful field of color in Wellesley
Bella Phan, 7, from Newton, and Olivia Tiernan, 4, from Milford, Conn., played on a giant Adirondack chair. John Tlumacki/Globe Staff There are 33 varieties of tulips, which visitors are allowed to cut as part of the admission fee. Connolly said that 75,000 people attended last year with proceeds going toward supporting the society's nonprofit horticultural programs. The event will run until May 4, depending on the weather and tulip bloom. Advertisement A Killdeer kept its eyes on its nest on the ground between tulips. John Tlumacki/Globe Staff Bub Hunt, 6, from Needham, cut tulips at Tulip Mania at The Garden at Elm Bank. John Tlumacki/Globe Staff Olivia Tiernan, 4, from Milford, Conn., ran with some of the tulips she just cut. John Tlumacki/Globe Staff Visitors walked among the flowering bulbs at Massachusetts Horticultural Society's third annual Tulip Mania on Wednesday, the first day it opened. John Tlumacki/Globe Staff Aida Guarnaccia, 3, from Somerville, held a bouquet of tulips. John Tlumacki/Globe Staff
