One of Cornell's Titan arums (Amorphophallus titanum)—a rare plant also known as a "corpse flower" for the deathly odor it produces at flowering—bloomed outdoors in August. The corpse flower is native to the sweltering tropical forests of Sumatra. When flowering, the plants create high heat and produce purple coloring and strong odors that mimic rotting flesh in order to attract pollinating insects that feed on carrion. The bloom in Minns Garden is believed to be the first time a Titan arum has ever bloomed outdoors beyond the tropics.
