Corpse Flower time lapse - two views

My latest photography project was for a time lapse video of our latest giant Corpse Flower to bloom at The Ohio State University. The video shows two views - a time lapse sequence from the side, which covers about two weeks prior to flowering and two days after; the other view is from an overhead cam showing the three days from bloom through wilting of the spathe and spadix.  

Please share the video - thanks.

The Titan Arum bloom at OSU

The botany begins…., a photo by andiwolfe on Flickr.

This is a detail photo of the Titan Arum spathe, just as it was reaching its prime Friday night. The color of Jesse, our most recent bloom, was spectacular - so rich and velvety. It's truly a transient phenomenon. After the first night the inflorescence rapidly declines, but while it is opening it is absolutely spectacular to see and smell.

Pollinating a Titan Arum 1

Pollinating a Titan Arum 1, a photo by Stephen A. Wolfe on Flickr.

I had a turn at pollinating Jesse in the wee hours of the morning. Photo by Steve Wolfe.

Jesse is absolutely stunning.

Jesse is absolutely stunning., a photo by andiwolfe on Flickr.

Jesse started opening between 3:00 and 3:30 p.m. May 25, 2012, and finished about 1:00 a.m. May 26, 2012. Pollination occurred after the spadix reached a temperature near 35°C. The stigmas were receptive at that time, so we're optimistic that we'll have some seed set.

Visiting hours at the Biosciences Greenhouse (12th Avene, atop parking garage K) are from 9 to 9 am on May 26, and to be announced for Sunday.

Check out the FB albums for more pics and info:

https://www.facebook.com/WoodytheTitanArumatOSU

Jesse is blooming tonight!

Jesse is blooming tonight!, a photo by andiwolfe on Flickr.

The second Titan Arum in two years time is currently blooming in the Biological Sciences Greenhouse at The Ohio State University. Visiting hours tomorrow, May 26, 2012 are 9 to 9.

Patience is a virtue

Patience is a virtue, a photo by andiwolfe on Flickr.

I've been making a photo library to track the progress of Jesse, OSU's second Titan Arum to bloom, and in back-to-back years with Woody - our first, which bloomed April 23, 2011. All Titan Arums (aka Corpse Flowers) are given names as they approach flowering time. Woody was named after Woody Hayes, a beloved football coach, and Jesse is named for Jesse Owens, a legion in breaking barriers and in track and field.

For more information, check these links:

https://www.facebook.com/WoodytheTitanArumatOSU

http://bioscigreenhouse.osu.edu/titan-arum

O-H-I-O!

O-H-I-O!, a photo by andiwolfe on Flickr.

We'll have a Corpse Flower in bloom in the next day or so at the Ohio State University Biological Sciences Greenhouse.

Botany 2007 in Chicago

I flew home on July 8th and left the next day for a short trip to Chicago to attend the Botany 2007 meeting. We met at the Chicago Hilton, which was conveniently located near the Field Museum. I spent a couple of hours over there before the ASPT banquet on Tuesday night. We had our banquet in the main area of the museum, which made for an interesting setting.

The walk across to the museum offered great views of the Chicago skyline.




This isn't the most scenic view one could ask for, but the trains are important to commuters in this region.









There was an interesting outdoor exhibit on the campus of the Field Museum, aquarium and art museum. I'm not sure how many of these globe sculptures were on display, but it seemed like there were about 50 or so - all done in different ecological themes.






It was pretty cool, and some of the sculptures were very, very clever.









There was a Darwin exhibit going on at the museum, but I missed it because I got there too late. They had recreated Darwin's study from Downe House. I didn't worry too much about missing the exhibit, since I've been to Downe House and have seen the original exhibit on display.






Here's a look at the skyline from the museum steps.










I had to choose one of the exhibits still open to quickly walk through and so I chose the Africa exhibit. It was an informative cultural exhibit, but the thing that stands out most for me was the one on musical traditions. This interesting instrument is played kind of like a plucked zither. There was a recording playing in the background.













Meet "Sue," the largest T. rex skeleton on exhibit.








The museum closed about an hour before the ASPT banquet and they herded us all outside. Unfortunately, a huge storm was approaching and so those of us waiting had to brave the rain and lightning from the overhang at the top of the museum steps.








It was rather strange, but interesting, to watch the lightning strikes on the tall buildings.









I sure didn't want to be out and exposed during this approach of the storm. I did enough storm chasing while a grad student to know how dangerous lightning is.









The lighthouse at the head of the harbor sure seemed exposed and lonely.










The storm front arrived. There was a lot of movement in those clouds - not circular, though. The wind came roaring in along with a heavy downpour.








The security guard finally felt sorry for us and let us into the building. We had about an hour of walking through one of the exhibits upstairs while imbibing liquid and eating appetizers before the program began.