Visitors can now stop by Temple University’s Ambler Campus to view and smell rare corpse flowers.
It takes seven to 10 years for the plant to bloom, making it particularly extraordinary that the Education and Research Complex has two giant corpse flowers for the first time. Onlookers may be surprised by the odor of the flower which smells akin to rotting meat. This is because the corpse flower sends out its unusual odor to attract flies and beetles rather than bees and butterflies.
Ben Snyder, manager of the Tyler School of Art and Architecture’s Greenhouse Education and Research Complex and a Temple alumnus, has been growing and nurturing the blooms for several years. According to Snyder, the flower goes through “thermogenesis.” meaning it can generate its own heat to a level that nearly mimics human body temperature.
Visitors must register online prior to coming to the campus and must follow social distancing and mask wearing guidelines. Tickets cost $15 for general admission and $10 for Ambler Arboretum members, and Temple University students and alumni. Proceeds support the Tyler School of Art and Architecture Horticulture program and the Ambler Arboretum of Temple University. If you are unable to attend in-person, you can visit the Temple University Ambler Campus YouTube channel to view the corpse flowers online.
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