The "Cronus" Chronicles
The Blooming of a Titan Arum, July 2012
Rare "Corpse Flower" Blooms Again
at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
A rose by any other name would smell as sweet -- unless it smelled like rotting meat. Cleveland  Metroparks Zoo’s giant flowering titan arum plant (Amorphophallus titanum), known as the “corpse flower,” is getting ready to bloom.
The corpse flower, which can grow up to 10 feet tall, is one of the largest flowering plants in the world and its blooms usually last only 24 hours. The Zoo is anxiously waiting for its 18-year-old titan arum, affectionately named ‘Cronus’ after the leader of the Titans in Greek mythology, to bloom for only the third time in its life. Learn more about the Titan Arum here (PDF).
The Zoo’s horticulture staff estimates the blooming, and the accompanying odor, will occur sometime between July 31 and August 2, although it could happen sooner. In anticipation of the event the horticulturists moved the plant from its normal home in an off-exhibit greenhouse to the lower level of The RainForest.
The Zoo's titan arum first bloomed in July 2007. Cronus was obtained in 1994 from the National Aquarium in Baltimore.
While the blooming of a titan arum is glorious, it is accompanied by a pungent smell that lasts for about a day. In 2010, we chronicled the plants growth and created a time-lapse video that spans the first two days of the bloom.
The Zoo is one of only a few dozen institutions in the U.S. to successfully nurture the corpse flower (Amorphophallus titanum) to full bloom, and Cronus’ bloom in 2007 was a first for the state of Ohio. Several titan arums have bloomed in the U.S. this year including Franklin Park Zoo in Boston and University of California, Davis.
Native only to the rainforests on the island of Sumatra, the corpse flower’s rare blooms in North American institutions often attract thousands of visitors and national media attention. Its smell is thought to be an adaptation used to attract its main pollinators in the wild, carrion beetles and flies.
Latest Updates and Images:
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Date: Friday, August 3, 2012
Cronus was taken off exhibit today. Here is the last photo taken of the titan arum. Thanks to all who came to see Cronus in bloom. Until next time . . . |
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Date: Thursday, August 2, 2012
Cronus is starting to do the lean! Hurry and get to The RainForest soon if you'd like to see this amazing plant before the bloom collapses.
Fun Cronus fact: The popular name "titan arum" was invented by the broadcaster and naturalist Sir Davod Attenborough for his BBC series The Private Life of Plants, in which the flowering and pollination of the plant were filmed for the first time. Attenborough felt that constantly referring to the plant as Amorphophallus on a popular TV documentary would be inappropriate. (source: Wikipedia) |
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Date: Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Cronus is still up, but closing more each day. He'll  likely start falling soon, but we'll keep you up-to-date!
After the "bloom" dies, a large leaf (can be up to 12 feet tall) will appear for about a year. When it dies, the plant is dormant (rests) before the process starts again. |
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Date: Tuesday, July 31, 2012
You still have time to see Cronus - he is standing tall but slowly closing up. He is still showing his brilliant color, and the inside of the spathe is not yet completely hidden from view. But there is no lingering odor to speak of.
Cronus will remain on exibit in The RainForest and the spadix will likely collapse in the next day or so. |
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Date: Monday, July 30, 2012
Height: 54.50 inches
Width: approx. 10 inches
Cronus has bloomed!
The Zoo's titan arum reached 54.50 inches over the weekend and bloomed early Monday morning. It does have a slight smell and the Zoo horticulture staff said it may get stronger as the bloom remains open. Remember, this bloom will only last between 24-48 hours so come out and see it!
Visit Cronus near the elevator in The RainForest and head up the Kapok Tree Stairs to get a great arial view of the bloom. |
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Date: Friday, July 27, 2012
Height: 52.25 inches
The Zoo's titan arum has reached 52.25 inches. That's another 2.25 inches of growth since yesterday.
We're still waiting for that strong odor! |
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Date: Thursday, July 26, 2012
Height: 50 inches
Cronus is up to 50 inches and it looks like the spathe i s slowly starting to curl by the spadix. Could that mean it's going to bloom soon? Stay tuned!
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Date: Wednesday, July 25, 2010
Height: 48 inches
Just a little shy of 48 inches! The spathe will open about three weeks after the bud tip appears, and only lasts 24-28 hours. A strong odor is released at peak bloom, or when the spathe opens, and will attract pollinators such as carrion beetles, sweat beetles and flesh flies.
Stay tuned! |
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Date: Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Height: 45 inches
Cronus has grown another three inches overnight!
 Our Cronus is steadily growing and we can't wait for it to bloom, but did you know that the largest of these ever recorded was over 9.5 feet tall!
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Date: Monday, July 23, 2012
Height: 42 inches
Cronus, the Zoo's titan arum plant, is up to almost 42 inches in height. It grew about 6 inches over the weekend! In its large pot in The RainForest, it's just about as tall as Zoo horticulturist Tim Peters!
Its tell-tale smell, the scent of rotting meat, hasn't started yet, but once it does, guests will know why the titan arum is nicknamed the "corpse flower."
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Date: Friday, July 20, 2012
Here is a photo of the titan arum in its exhibit area on the lower level of The RainForest near the Kapok tree.
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Horticulture Manager Christopher Lowe said Cronus grew three inches since yesterday!
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Date: Thursday, July 19, 2012
Today we got our first glimpse of Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's titan arum, Cronus.
Horticulture staff has been caring for Cronus in the Zoo's working greenhouse since his last blooming in 2010. For the blooming, Cronus has been moved to a public viewing location in The RainForest on the first floor. Please stay tuned right here for the latest information. |
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