In the botanical garden of the University of Vienna, a titanar chalice blooms for the first time. Flowering began on Sunday at 2:30 p.m., according to the Botanical Garden’s website (see live stream above). The inflorescence can reach more than three meters in height and is one of the largest flowers in the world. In addition to its impressive size, it has a beastly stench. The flowering period lasts only about two days and is one of the most spectacular natural phenomena of all, according to the researchers.
According to the University of Vienna, the plant, whose Latin name Amorphophallus titanum means “giant deformed penis”, will only be on display until Monday evening.
The titan arum from the aroid family comes from Indonesia and with its huge inflorescence attracts small insects, which serve as pollinators. The large piston at the top of the inflorescence heats up and gives off an animal stench reminiscent of a rotting corpse.
Since 2019, a specimen has been growing in the Botanical Garden of the University of Vienna. The plant comes from the botanical garden of the University of Salzburg, where it bloomed in 2019. At that time, the inflorescence reached a height of more than two meters.
The huge tuber of the plant has doubled to 80 kilograms since moving to Vienna.
The cold house of the botanical garden at 14 Rennweg is open on Sundays and Mondays from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Entry costs four euros (cash only). Due to flowering, the whole cold house is open late into the evening rather than the usual 3pm, allowing visitors to see and smell the plant up close – especially in the evenings when it is in full bloom.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
