Seeds of collaboration: Illinois Titan Arum traces roots to UW

A Titan Arum grown from a seed produced by the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s record-breaking Big Bucky is about to bloom and release its overpowering smell on the University of Illinois campus.

The plant was expected to bloom today or on Friday.

“We’ve coddled it for 10 years,” said greenhouse manager Debbie Black in a news release. “For about the first five years, I wouldn’t let anybody touch it but me. That way, if it died, I could only get mad at myself and not at the students.”

The Illinois plant was named Titania following a poll of greenhouse visitors in 2010.

It has been growing at an astounding rate recently, shooting up seven inches in three days, from 29 inches on Sunday (July 3) to 36 inches on Wednesday (July 6).

UW-Madison’s “Big Bucky” first bloomed on June 7, 2001, and reached a height of 101 inches, or 8 feet, 5 inches. It attracted thousands of visitors to the Botany Greenhouse in Birge Hall spanning a period of several days.

The Illinois plant is generating a lot of interest on its campus and a webcam can be viewed here. It is also featured on the Friends of the University of Illinois Conservatory Facebook page.

The University of Illinois’ news bureau says the History Channel is also planning to film Titiania’s blooming for it Modern Marvels TV series.