BLOOMINGTON — A rare and notoriously pungent event is once again unfolding in Bloomington as “Wally,” the resident Amorphophallus titanum — commonly known as a “corpse flower” — blooms at the Indiana University Bloomington Biology Building Greenhouse.
As this towering tropical plant prepares its display, complete with its infamous rotting-flesh aroma, the Biology Greenhouse invites the community to follow Wally’s journey and support the vital space he calls home. IU Biology has launched a dedicated Biology Greenhouse Fund through the IU Foundation. This fund aims to ensure the greenhouse’s long-term vitality, supporting its role in teaching, research, and as a space for quiet reflection.
For those eager to witness Wally’s progress, an odor-free experience is available via the Wallycam livestream, allowing enthusiasts to watch the plant grow and eventually bloom from anywhere.
Typically, the Amorphophallus titanum undergoes several leaf cycles to store enough energy before flowering. Its very first bloom can take a significant eight to 20 years, with subsequent blooms, if conditions are ideal, occurring only every few years. Once it blooms, the event is incredibly fleeting, lasting a mere 24 to 36 hours.
Wally is located in Room P of the Biology Building Greenhouse. Regular operating hours are 7:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., Monday through Friday. The greenhouse is closed on weekends and during some holidays and IU breaks. For the most up-to-date information on Wally’s bloom and greenhouse hours, visitors are encouraged to check the Indiana University Bloomington Biology Greenhouse Facebook page.
