UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens enter ‘Bloom Watch’ for (another) first‑time corpse flower

April 15, 2026
Categories: Botanical Gardens, College News
Three large potted titan arum plants in three different stages of growth cycle, one in leaf, one in before bloom and one in after bloom with fruit on the stem.

UNC Charlotte’s Botanical Gardens are on bloom watch, again, as a 10‑year‑old titan arum prepares to open for the first time. Commonly known as a corpse flower, horticulture experts from the Gardens predict the rare bloom will occur in late April or early May.

Visitors can follow the bloom in person by visiting the Dinosaur Room at the McMillan Greenhouse or view it online through a livestream.

Watch the live bloomstream

Known for its dramatic size and powerful scent, the titan arum (Amorphophallus titanum) emits an odor often compared to decaying flesh, a natural strategy to attract beetles and flies for pollination. Once open, the bloom typically lasts only 12 to 24 hours.

This bloom continues a long lineage of successful corpse flowers at UNC Charlotte, including Bella (2007, 2010), Odie (2015), Rotney and Odie (2018), Rotney (2020), Stinkerbell (2023) and Cadavera (2025). Cadavera brought 7,500 visitors to the gardens during the bloom.

This latest bloom is growing steadily at an inch per day and is the offspring of Adsila, from Rollins College, and Maudine, from The Ohio State University. It was planted in October 2016 using seeds originally sourced from Rollins College. After a decade of storing energy in its corm, an underground structure similar to a bulb, the titan arum is now producing its debut inflorescence.

Support the botanical gardens

Assistant Director of the Botanical Gardens Tammy Blume said the anticipation surrounding the first bloom never gets old. 

“Every titan arum bloom is thrilling, but a first bloom is especially meaningful,” Blume said. “People from all over the world tune in, and I love that they’re watching it grow right along with us.”

Naming contest

As tradition dictates, the plant is now eligible for a name as it has reached its first bloom cycle. You can enter the naming contest through 10 a.m. on Monday, April 20, by commenting your suggestion on the Botanical Gardens social media accounts:

Instagram: @unccharlottegardens

Facebook: UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens

Donations are also being accepted for the “college fund” for this latest titan. Donor support ensures the Botanical Gardens can preserve unique species like the titan arum, maintain the greenhouses and share these extraordinary blooms with the public.

Know before you go

The McMillan Greenhouse on UNC Charlotte’s campus is located at 9026 Craver Rd., Charlotte NC 28223. The greenhouse is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the closest visitor parking in East Deck 1. Explore the interactive UNC Charlotte web map.

A green plant with lighter green spots emerges from a large pot, standing approximately a foot tall.
April 3, 2026: the new titan arum showing that it is entering the bloom cycle.
3 potted plants of titan arum in three different phases of the growth cycle, sit in the UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens Dinosaur Room.
April 13, 2026. From L to R: Cadavera has fruit on the spadix (stem); the newest titan preparing for bloom; a sibling to Cadavera that has not yet bloomed and is currently in a leaf cycle.