Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Thursday Thirteen

Today I'm sharing images of my most surprising garden success, the Amorphophallus conjac (thank you for the correction to "conjac", Lucius Antony, from the incorrect "titanum"!). This so-called "corpse flower" actually bloomed this year! It's the third time since being introduced out of a little pot as an interesting but mysterious foliage specimen. The garden center owner didn't seem to know that he sold me a renowned food source from Asia. It's the tubers that are edible, though I do believe I'll pass on trying to eat mine.

Before I could even photograph the nub of a flower shoot protruding from the soil, this ubiquitous shape formed. I'll let the first few pictures speak for themselves.













After many days of stinky glory, the beautiful cloacking spathe shrivelled and the spadex at its center collapsed. Oh, how the mighty have fallen.



This isn't the best focus, but it sure reminds me of Jar Jar Binks from "Star Wars".



It lingered, getting uglier and uglier.



Then, the joy of rebirth brought these darling little shoots.



This mottled stem is what drew my eye at the garden center. That guy called it a "snake plant"!



This shows off the tropical leaves of an individual stalk.



Here you can see the resulting miniature jungle. Now, it's chest high and still spreading!

18 comments:

  1. Campus has a few of those plants. I wrote a story for it, during my time at the Post. How on Earth can you stand the stench?

    Considering the name (amorphallus titanum [are you sure it's not the amorphallus conjac?]) there are so many jokes I could make about that seventh picture... but I think it might be best to leave it unsaid.

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  2. Wow. Your yard really is a jungle.

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  3. Ugly flower, but lovely foliage.

    Happy TT.
    Janice~

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  4. What an interesting plant. Alice is right - the plant looks like it's gonna take over.

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  5. Great photo essay! I think you're right about Jar Jar Binks.

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  6. They have a few of those here at the UW Horticulture building and Olbrich Gardens. That is one ugly and stinky plant!

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  7. Yikes! LOL!

    *hugs*
    Paige

    My TT is at http://paigetylertheauthor.blogspot.com/

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  8. Wow, that's amazing! I wouldn't know what to think if I found that growing in my yard, LOL!

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  9. You learn something new everyday - I'd never heard of a corpse flower. It's amazing. I don't think I'd want one in my yard though - looks a bit too "Little Shop of Horrors"-like for me. :)

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  10. Now that's an interesting plant. Not sure if I like it or not. The color is amazing when it is in bloom.
    Happy T13!

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  11. Okay, I have a dirty dirty mind because some of those pictures look pornographic.

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  12. See, I couldn't get past the stench long enough to put it in my garden. But hooray for you! Very interesting.

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  13. I thank you for all the great comments! I promise to read lists tomorrow. Today is for writing, though I couldn't resist popping in here. The flower does stink but not for very long. And only when you're standing right next to it. Fortunately, we go in through the garage door. :) I love the strange and unique, so this was a real lucky find. And Inez, you're right. You too, Lucis! Thanks! I'd never heard of amorphallus conjac but it's spot on. How cool that the tubers are an Asia delicacy.

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  14. That is so cool! And I'm with Inez. I had some very inappropriate thoughts. LOL!!!

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  15. Happy T13!

    Thanks so much for sharing your unique find!

    (And I didn't have any naughty thoughts until after Inez and Jennifer mentioned them...thanks ladies!!!...lol)

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  16. Excellent photographs following the life span of an ugly (there is beauty in ugliness) flower and its offspring. Really enjoyed studying each photo in turn.

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  17. I appreciate people can and love to garden. So pretty, but not for me!

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  18. I really had fun watching that bloom, and getting these kind comments makes it even that much more special. Thank you!

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