It's show time for . The giant, rare, stinky flower in the at UC Davis has begun to unfurl its maroon-colored, petal-like spathe. Peak odors are anticipated tonight.
The blooming, aptly named, "corpse flower" has grown to 5 feet tall, eclipsing last year's bloomer by more than a foot. Ted the Titan topped out at 43 inches. Tabatha's short-lived bloom should last a day or two.
The public is invited to come experience Tabatha until 11 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. until the flower fades. Directions to the Botanical Conservatory are online at
More information about the plant, also known as Amorphophallus titanum or titan arum, is available online at . This Web site includes a live webcam, interviews with conservatory curator Ernesto Sandoval, student journals on Tabatha's development, scientific monitoring and other background information.
Media Resources
Susanne Rockwell, Web and new media editor, (530) 752-2542, sgrockwell@ucdavis.edu
Ernesto Sandoval, Botanical Conservatory, (530) 752-0569, jesandoval@ucdavis.edu