Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-09-14
A FLORAL GIANT.
A Miracle in Beauty and Terror
in Perfume.

In 1873 traveller in Western Sumatra, DR..
Beccari, wrote home that he had discovered
plant of extraordinary character, but his let
ter announcing this botanical phenomenon,
the amorphophaIlus titanum, was a very modest
one, taking into consideration the fact that he
had discovered veritable wonder of the vege-
table kingdom-the largest and most distinctly
unique flower in the world, one Of which
opened at Kew gardens, London, Eng
land, in the latter part of last June.
DR.. Beccari in his letter stated that
he had found the gigantic tuber and dug
it up; that 1t was five feet in circumference,
and two men could hardly carry tin fact
they dropped it, and the tuber was broken.
DIR. Beccari promised to send home some
tubers in perfect condition. but it does not APP
pear that he accomplished this But seeds
were sent and they arrived safely. shaped like
an olive, one and half inches long and bright
red in color.
These seeds were germinated in Italy. and a
Seeding presented to Kew gardens, and it is
this Seeding which has finally developed the
extraordinary blossom figured. 1t has devel-
oped from a Seeding year by year. the gigantic
tuber demanding larger pot from time to
time, and annually producing its titanic leaf,
forty-ive feet in circumference. This leaf was
at first thought to be trunk, but as it grew
its three branches, as thick as a mans thigh,
parted from it ten feet above the tuber and
proved to be veins or ribs of the leaf nearly
four yards in length. Startling as the
leaf development had been, greater won
ders were in reserve for the savants and the
public. In March last the tuber was re-
ported to weigh 81 pounds and measured 4
feet 8 inches in circumference. In May last
no signs of the usual leaf development were
given, but what proved to be the lower had
begun to push its way toward development Its
progress at first was at the rate of an inch a
day; then two inches day were added to its
stature, until in June its upward progress was
almost visible. Excitement among the habitues
OF Kew garden and scientific men at large was
intense. Fancy" as an English paper puts it.
"a bud as tall and roomy one of those ma
chimes which open at Christmas time at Drury
Lane disclosing young woman in an attitude"
But, though many were watching for the un-
folding of this great flower, its singularly fugi-
tive character was destined TO disappoint even
some of the vigilant who happened not to be
present during the few hours of its unfolding.
On the last Friday in June last the flower be-
gan to unfold. to spread its great toothed rim
and to exhibit the wonderful maroon color of
Its lining 1t was majestic in its beauty-there
was no doubt of that-and by O'Clock D. m of
the same day the unfolding process was fin
ished and the Titan of its race stood
in its completeness. But, oh. the hor-
spacious green house to overlooking and
compelled even the enthusiasts to fee
hastily with handkerchief to nose-a stink
such as all the condemned fish of a great city
would hesitate to emit. This vile odor is COM
mon to all the Aroid family, to which this plant
belongs, its purpose being jointly for protec-
ton and to induce fertilization. In this espe-
cial case every fly and insect gathered about in
the gigantic spadix, instantly fertiliZing the
tiny blooms which clothed it to its summit
This amorphophallus belongs to the arum
family, many members Of which are common
among our wild flowers, and familiar to us all
But wide gulf separates it from its modest
congeners of the temperate zone
The spathe encircling frill from which
rises the spadix measured 4 feet across and
was 8 feet deep. The interior Of this spathe
held for those who pinched their noses and
had the courage to look into its depths Won
derful show Of color-maroon purple tinged
with n violet yelvet-like sheen, indescribably
beautiful. This lining has a superb effect,
pouring over the edges greenish white,
boldly toothed and crumped. The spadix
measured feet from its base, which
was 10 inches in diameter and gradually
narrowed to a blunt point, green at first, but
as it grew older turning to drab. The stature
of the entire flower was feet inches. and in
future years, whenever the tuber chooses to
again develop another bloom, these wondrous
dimensions will no doubt be exceeded. Amor
phophallus titanum can hardly be expected to
become a favorite flower with amateurs-its
carrion perfume forbids that-but il will al
ways remain the supreme wonder of the floral
kingdom, unless some enterprising explorer
discovers in some out-of-the-way nook of the
world greater and more surprising develop
ment Of natures handiwork.