DES MOINES, Iowa —
After blooming in July 2017 and entering a period of dormancy, the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden’s Amorphophallus titanum, better known as Carrie the Corpse Flower, has sent up a single leaf that stands at 57 inches tall and 61 inches wide. Botanical Garden Curatorial Horticulturist Derek Carwood estimates this tree-like leaf will last approximately one year, then senesce (wither away) and be replaced by an even larger leaf.
This process will continue until the plant sends up a leaf that reaches approximately 15 feet tall and/or determines it’s once again time to bloom.
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For those who want to learn more and get a behind-the-scenes look at the Garden’s Amorphophallus collection, the Botanical Garden is offering an “Amazing Amorphophallus” class this Saturday, Oct. 13 from 11 a.m. to noon.
Sign up at dmbotanicalgarden.com/corpseflowerclass.