The Missouri Botanical Garden‘s 15th corpse flower bloom, Millie, is ready to make its appearance.
The Amorphophallus titanum specimen has been growing rapidly over the past several days and is expected to bloom this evening, unfurling a massive blossom that smells of rotting meat, hence the species’ common name.
Despite the less-than-pleasant aroma, large crowds are expected to visit the plant during the blooming period. Corpse flowers typically bloom for just two or three days every year or two, according to the United States Botanic Garden.
Visitors can see Millie in all her glory during regular garden hours or this evening from 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. in the garden’s Linnean House. Admission is free during the evening hours, but only the Linnean House will be accessible. The garden advises that wait times to enter the conservatory may be long and urges visitors to be courteous while in line. Visitors who arrive after the 12:30 a.m. will not be granted access to the garden.
This is Millie’s first bloom at the Missouri Botanical Garden. The plant was a gift from the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, which houses Horace, a sibling to Millie.
Those who can’t make it to the garden during the bloom can also view Millie via the Missouri Botanical Garden’s corpse flower livestream on YouTube.
For more information, visit missouribotanicalgarden.org.