Rare Corpse Flower Set to Bloom This Week at Orange Coast College

Stink Alert!

Orange Coast College’s horticulture department has announced it has a “Corpse Flower” ready to bloom in the next couple of days.

The rare and endangered Amorphophallus titanum flower is known for its pungent odor, which many people liken to rotting flesh. The plant can take many years to bloom and has the potential to grow more than 10 feet tall.

OCC originally received three corpse flowers from the Huntington Botanical Gardens in 2006. In 2014, the College saw the blooming of a flower named “Little John” which stood at 4 feet and drew hundreds of spectators. The current flower measures 57 inches and has been named “Little Dougie” after OCC’s Foundation Director Doug Bennett.

“It’s amazing how many people want to smell it, [the smell] is the biggest draw about it,” says Horticulture Lab Coordinator Joe Stead.

Once the flower blooms the odor will last anywhere from 24 to 48 hours. The plant will be on display on the patio of OCC’s Administration Building starting Wednesday, June 28, from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., and once the flower blooms, the College will allow visitors until 10 p.m.

Members of the public are invited to stop by campus to experience the Corpse Flower’s unique scent. Admission and parking are free, with a suggested $3 donation to support scholarships in the College’s horticulture program.

What: Corpse Flower Blooming Event & Fundraiser

When: June 28-30, 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Where: Orange Coast College – Administration Building

2701 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa

Admission: Free w/ suggested $3 donation

Parking: Park in Lot B, Fairview & Pirate Way, Costa Mesa