ALLENDALE, MI (WTVB)- A rare and notoriously pungent tropical plant is preparing to bloom this week at Grand Valley State University (GVSU), drawing thousands of anticipated visitors eager to witness the unique spectacle.
Nicknamed “The Beast,” the Amorphophallus titanum—or corpse flower—is housed in the university’s Barbara Kindschi Greenhouse. The impending bloom marks the third time the plant has opened since it was gifted to GVSU in 2015, arriving far ahead of its typical seven-to-ten-year lifecycle expectations following its last display in 2024.
When the giant Indonesian native reaches peak bloom this week, it will unfurl for a brief 24 to 36 hours while unleashing a powerful odor resembling rotting flesh designed to attract carrion-seeking pollinators.
To accommodate the influx of spectators, the greenhouse opened its doors to the public starting Monday, with daytime hours that will expand until 10:00 p.m. once the bloom officially begins.
You monitor the plant’s progress via updates on the official GVSU Instagram account and can secure free day-parking passes through the university’s parking services department.
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