Rare giant flowers blossom in Mekarsari

Mon, 05/04/2009 2:07 PM  |  City

ADPARA>Two kinds of rare giant flowers in Mekarsari, West Java, are expected to blossom until May 8. The rare flowers are Bunga Bangkai (corpse flower) and Amorphophalus beccarii.

Amorphophallus beccarii blossomed between April 30 and May 1, while the corpse flower is expected to slowly blossom until May 8, peaking on May 4-5.

"We'd like to let people watch the blossoming process, as it is so rare. This is their second blossom," Mekarsari spokeswoman Tablighina told The Jakarta Post. She also said it blossomed for the first time in 2004.

The flowers usually blossoms at midnight, releasing a pungent smell that can spread as far as five to 10 meters.

The corpse flower will also wither. This four-year-old flower with a height of between 120 cm and 140 cm has a diameter of 100 cm. Its roots also weigh 10 kilograms. - JP

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