Titan VanCoug, WSU Vancouver’s corpse flower and unofficial mascot, bloomed for the second time Aug. 16. During its bloom, the plant was successfully pollinated, and fruit is forming.
The corpse flower, or titan arum (Amorphophallus titanum), is native to Sumatra, Indonesia. Considered endangered due to deforestation, there are only about 1,000 corpse flowers left in Sumatra. Classroom Support Technician Dawn Freeman, who cares for Titan VanCoug, secured pollen to help conserve the species. Corpse flowers have pedigrees that allow growers to know their lineage. Freeman was able to secure pollen from the University of California, Riverside; University of California Santa Cruz and Chicago Botanic Garden.
On the night of the bloom, Freeman and Professor Emeritus Steve Sylvester sprinkled pollen inside Titan VanCoug in hopes the flies attracted by the bloom’s signature rotting-flesh smell would help pollinate the plant. The next day, they carefully cut a window in the corpse flower, exposing a ring of tiny red female flowers and painted pollen on them using a sterilized brush. Freeman also collected pollen from Titan VanCoug to share with other corpse flower growers in the world. Frozen pollen can be kept for about one year.
To help the fruit grow, Freeman trimmed Titan VanCoug’s spathe away to expose its fruit-producing spadix. She uses a vinegar mixture to prevent mold growth. This has kept Titan VanCoug healthy and is allowing its fruit—a cluster of more than 100 orange “berries”—to mature. Each berry will produce two seeds that can be shared with other universities and conservatories. The berries will be ripe when they turn red.
Along with the fruit growth, Titan VanCoug has one leaf showing. It is more than 8 feet tall with a 7-foot canopy. There are two additional corms in the pot that are dormant now. If leaves do not emerge this spring, it could be an indication that those corms will bloom this summer. Time will tell!