Corpse Flowers Bloom Simultaneously at Huntington Gardens

Two corpse flowers, scientifically known as titan arums, bloomed simultaneously at The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens in San Marino, California, over the weekend. This rare event, characterized by the plants' immense size and potent odor, drew a significant crowd, with over 7,000 visitors flocking to the institution on Monday, July 14, 2026. The two specific plants were named Odorysseus and Odora.

The corpse flower is renowned for being one of the largest and smelliest flowering plants in the world. Its bloom is infrequent and short-lived, making simultaneous flowering of two specimens a particularly noteworthy occurrence. The Huntington, a research institution located approximately 12 miles from downtown Los Angeles, provided the public with a rare opportunity to witness this botanical phenomenon.

The influx of visitors underscores the public's fascination with unusual natural events. The institution's botanical gardens are a significant resource for research and public education, often hosting unique plant displays. The simultaneous blooming of these two titan arums offered a unique chance for thousands to experience a plant that is seldom seen in flower.