Field Notes: a Northwest nature blog
One of the reasons many of us live in the Pacific Northwest is the natural wonders that amaze us all. On this blog Seattle Times writers and photographers will share their explorations of the natural world from snowcaps to whitecaps. Write us at fieldnotes@seattletimes.com with your own sightings, questions and wonders to share.
Tonight's the night corpse flower will blossom; sniffs welcome til 11 p.m.
Posted by Sandi Doughton
Botanists at the University of Washington are "99% sure" their corpse flower will blossom tonight (June 8), exuding its namesake stench.
See this earlier Field Notes entry for a picture of the Sumatra native that local scientists have coaxed into blooming far from home.
The UW Botany greenhouse will be open until 11 p.m. tonight, with the prime sniffing period expected to begin around 9 p.m.
The smell, which has been likened to rotting meat, is meant to attract the carrion beetles and flies that pollinate the plant. The aroma is strongest the night the flower opens, but whiffs can linger into the following morning.
Updates will be posted to the UW Biology Facebook page.
Directions to the greenhouse are here. Even after the greenhouse closes, the plant can be seen through the windows. Perhaps your nose will lead you to it.
Feb 25 - 7:00 AM Washington's wolf population has at least doubled since last year
Feb 22 - 7:00 AM See (and smell) it now: witch hazel at Washington Park Arboretum
Feb 18 - 7:00 AM Live from pocket protector central: The AAAS wraps up in Boston
Feb 15 - 7:00 AM Here come the snow geese ... along with their very own festival
Feb 11 - 10:13 AM More on shorebirds: How do they do that?


- McNerney: Boeing will squeeze suppliers and cut jobs
- Percy Harvin already impressing Seahawks teammates, coaches
- Turmoil surrounds program to help prostitutes
- Sinking Mariners lose sixth straight game; changes ahead?
- Immigrant to compete for Miss Seafair crown
- Mexico cartel dominates, torches western state
- Brave woman tried to reason with London attackers
- No question: Russell Wilson's in charge now
- Bridge collapse will cause holiday travel headaches
- Jesus Montero's days as Mariners catcher are over
- Is Catholic Church taking over health care in Washington?
370 - Official: Treasury played no role in IRS targeting
321 - Vote on gay Scouts comes at emotional moment
178 - Businesses refuse service to gays
168 - Bridge collapses on Interstate 5 over Skagit River; cars in the water
153 - Mariners option Jesus Montero to AAA, all but ending catching career
139 - McNerney: Boeing will squeeze suppliers and cut jobs
133 - Mariners veterans call team meeting after getting routed again
87 - Official bowl schedule released
80 - First shoe drops: Montero headed to Tacoma
56
- McNerney: Boeing will squeeze suppliers and cut jobs
- ‘Miracles’: 3 survive I-5 collapse
- Careers carved at wood-tech center
- Bridge collapse will cause holiday travel headaches
- Doctors save Ohio boy by ‘printing’ an airway tube | Close-up
- Food-video site launched by Bellevue consumer-research firm
- Recipe: Jalapeño Turkey-Black Bean Chili with Crisped Potatoes
- Illuminating history of slavery in Oregon a teachable moment | Jerry Large
- Council panel OKs zoning for big pot-growing operations
- Get outta Seattle and love these outdoor outings

