[TIME-LAPSE VIDEO] Corpse Flower: Stinker Opens for Third Time in Five Years

For the third time in just five years, a rare plant being grown in Binghamton University's E.W. Heier Teaching Greenhouse is preparing to bloom. The Amorphophallus titanium (corpse flower) is known to the university as Metis, and when it decides to open, it will release a very stinky odor.

"It is clear from its tremendous growth rate that Metis favors this particular spot in the Tropical Room," Laurie Bell, greenhouse manager at Binghamton University, said in a news release. "After its last inflorescence in 2013, Metis' corm weighed 50 lbs. It was then in leaf for a year, and nearly doubled its size to 95 lbs. this spring."

That's one heavy, smelly plant. Corpse flowers generally only bloom once every 5-30 years, during which a scent reminiscent of decomposing flesh is given off. However, the university witnessed Metis' first bloom in 2010, and  then again in 2013. This year, it is expected to bloom around Aug. 26, according to the university's release.

According to the news release, the university received Metis through the efforts of alumnus Werner Stiegler, who organized the donation of the bulb-shaped plant corm to the E.W. Heier Teaching Greenhouse. This plant had been grown from seeds that came directly from Bali, Indonesia. Stiegler named the plant "Metis," after the Titan goddess of wisdom in early Greek mythology, in order to keep up with a university tradition.

According the university's news release, the greenhouse will offer extended hours for visitors, staying open from 8:30 a.m to 6 p.m. until flowering day, when the greenhouse will be open until 10 p.m.

A live stream of Metis can also be found online.

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