PORTLAND, Ore. — Anticipation is mounting as Titan VanCoug, the renowned corpse flower residing on the ground floor of Washington State University Vancouver’s Science and Engineering Building, prepares to bloom once more, expectedly by the end of July or early August, according to WSU researchers.
Initially captivating nearly 20,000 spectators during its inaugural bloom in 2019, Titan VanCoug continues to intrigue with its colossal size and brief flowering period spanning just two to three days. Most notably, the flower emits a potent stench likened to decomposing flesh at its peak, adding to its allure.
This year marks an exceptional occurrence as Titan VanCoug gears up for its third bloom in as many years, defying the norm of flowering cycles that typically span between four to six years for mature specimens.
Dawn Freeman, the plant’s caretaker, suggests a compelling theory behind this anomaly. While traditionally, corpse flowers mature and bloom within 7-10 years, Titan VanCoug, after a prolonged 17-year wait to reach full maturity, may now be compensating for lost time. Freeman also posits another intriguing possibility: Titan VanCoug might not be a singular plant but potentially a cluster of up to four distinct plants sharing the same pot, a hypothesis awaiting verification.
“We don’t have clear visibility beneath the soil,” Freeman explained in a recent article by WSU Insider. “I had hoped to investigate this summer, but consecutive blooms have delayed my exploration to ensure minimal disruption.”
If multiple plants indeed coexist within the same pot, Freeman envisions separating them during dormancy, facilitating their growth in separate containers. However, this plan would necessitate the construction of a new greenhouse at the Vancouver campus to accommodate additional specimens.
Originally planted in 2002 by Steve Sylvester, an emeritus professor in the College of Arts and Sciences, Titan VanCoug has bloomed a total of four times, with its first public bloom in mid-July 2019 drawing significant crowds to WSU Vancouver.
Despite challenges in subsequent years, including issues with mold during the 2023 bloom, researchers have successfully cultivated seeds from Titan VanCoug, furthering the plant’s legacy.
The lifecycle of a corpse flower, from seed to corm and eventual flowering, spans several years and culminates in a dramatic bloom that lasts mere days before the plant transitions into fruit production. WSU Vancouver encourages enthusiasts to experience Titan VanCoug’s bloom firsthand, emphasizing that the unique combination of size and odor defies adequate depiction through photographs alone.
As the Vancouver campus prepares for Titan VanCoug’s impending bloom, WSU offers a livestream for remote viewing while encouraging local community members to visit in person. Updates regarding the bloom’s exact timing can be found on WSU Vancouver’s website, ensuring everyone can witness this extraordinary botanical event.
