Affectionately nicknamed, The Beast, GVSU’s 5-foot 5-inch corpse flower lives in the science building on the Allendale Valley Campus, cared for by Biology Department Greenhouse Supervisor Christina Hipshier and staff.
“Their flowers really only last for 24 to 36 hours. So, if it's something you want to experience and come smell the stinky smell, you got to move fast. You gotta act on it.
Today, it actually just toppled over, so The Beast is done for right now.”
Named for the strong rotting-flesh odor emitted to attract pollinator insects, corpse flowers typically take 7 to 10, even 20 years to bloom.
The Beast, however, has broken expectations by blooming for the third time since 2022.
Hipshier credits good plant genetic and good care.
Staff scrambled to put together public viewing hours for the surprise return bloom.
“We've had a lot of classes come through. We've had writing classes, science classes, a lot of families that are local brought their kids in. It's been really, really fun just to kind of see the reactions to the smell, and just the pure size of it as well.”
Hundreds of visitors came to see - and smell – the corpse flower during its short bloom, papering a nearby wall with sticky notes describing the scent.
For those who missed this round, Hipshier has faith The Beast will bloom again.
“If it's going according to the pattern right now, we're thinking winter 2028. So, yeah, keep your eyes open.”
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