DEVIL’S TONGUE BLOOMS
Rare event occurred at Conservatory
For the second time in its history, the Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory was the site for a rare botanical occurrence – a tropical plant named Devil’s Tongue bloomed, and only lasted for about one week.
Devil’s Tongue (Amorphophallus riveri) is as imposing as its name suggests. But gardeners and botanists find it fascinating with its dark maroon flower on a two-foot stalk, and its pungent aroma – some would say “stink” – of rotting meat.
According to Andy Force, Supervisor of Horticulture at the Conservatory, the unappealing aroma is irresistible to flies, the plant’s natural pollinator. Lest one thinks that this event isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be, a similar plant made the national news last year when it flowered at the National Conservatory.
Devil’s Tongue is related to the jack-in-the-pulpit commonly found in woodland areas of Indiana, and comes from Southeast Asia and China. It is currently on display in the Tropical House at the Conservatory.
The Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory is located at 1100 S. Calhoun Street in Fort Wayne. Call 260-427-6400 for more information.
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