The rare corpse flowers at the Mitchell Park Domes are currently in bloom, but the opportunity to experience them won’t last long.
Known scientifically as Amorphophallus titanum, these corpse flowers bloom once every eight years for just 24 to 48 hours before wilting.
Mary Braunreiter, a horticulturist at Mitchell Park’s tropical dome, explained that the flower emits a smell similar to rotting flesh or a dead mouse left in a trap for several days.
“We’ve waited patiently for Pepe Le Pew and Penelope to bloom; it’s happening now!” the Domes announced on their Facebook page around 5 p.m. on Saturday.
The strong odor will diminish throughout the day, according to a follow-up post from the Domes on Sunday.
Native to Sumatra, Indonesia, the corpse flower attracts carrion flies and beetles with its stench, aiding in pollination.
The Domes are open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the first 700 visitors receiving a free Corpse Flower sticker.
Located at 524 S. Layton Blvd., Milwaukee, tickets are available at the door starting at $8 for Milwaukee County residents.