Fairy lanterns, corpse flowers, time-bomb bamboo & cherry blossoms: 6 flummoxing flower facts

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14.7017223 24 12 24 5.372583 24 0 18.627417 0 12S5.372583 0 12 0zm0 2C6.4771525 2 2 6.4771525 2 12s4.4771525 10 10 10 10-4.4771525 10-10S17.5228475 2 12 2z"> </path> </svg> </button> </form> </div> <div class="content"> <main class="main rows-gap margin-top-1 margin-bottom-1"> <nav aria-label="breadcrumbs" class="rank-math-breadcrumb"><p><a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com">Cosmos</a><span class="separator"> » </span><a href="/nature/plants/">Plants</a></p></nav> <section class="article-container cols-4 md-cols-1 cols-gap-1 padding-bottom-4"> <article class="col col-span-3 post-292334 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-plants category-biology category-science category-nature category-news tag-ecology tag-flowers"> <header class="rows rows-gap"> <h1 class="entry-title row">Fairy lanterns and corpse flowers: 6 flummoxing flower facts</h1> <div class="row primary-image has-featured-image " data-featured-image="1200-Rafflesia-kemumu-in-the-rainforest-of-Sumatra.jpg"> <img width="1200" height="675" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxMjAwIDY3NSIgd2lkdGg9IjEyMDAiIGhlaWdodD0iNjc1IiBkYXRhLXU9IiUyRndwLWNvbnRlbnQlMkZ1cGxvYWRzJTJGMjAyMyUyRjA5JTJGMTIwMC1SYWZmbGVzaWEta2VtdW11LWluLXRoZS1yYWluZm9yZXN0LW9mLVN1bWF0cmEuanBnIiBkYXRhLXc9IjEyMDAiIGRhdGEtaD0iNjc1IiBkYXRhLWJpcD0iIj48L3N2Zz4=" data-spai="1" class="feature-image wp caption" alt="giant red flower in jungle" decoding="async" loading="eager" fetchpriority="high" /><noscript data-spai="1"><img width="1200" height="675" src="https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/1200-Rafflesia-kemumu-in-the-rainforest-of-Sumatra.jpg" data-spai-egr="1" class="feature-image wp caption" alt="giant red flower in jungle" decoding="async" loading="eager" fetchpriority="high" srcset="https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/1200-Rafflesia-kemumu-in-the-rainforest-of-Sumatra.jpg 1200w, https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/1200-Rafflesia-kemumu-in-the-rainforest-of-Sumatra-600x338.jpg 600w, https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/1200-Rafflesia-kemumu-in-the-rainforest-of-Sumatra-768x432.jpg 768w, https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/1200-Rafflesia-kemumu-in-the-rainforest-of-Sumatra-300x169.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" /></noscript> <div class="caption feature">Rafflesia kemumu in the rainforest of Sumatra. Credit: Chris Thorogood.</div> </div> </header> <div class="entry-content cols-6 md-cols-1 cols-gap-1 margin-top-1"> <div class="content-left-sidebar cols-1 col"> <section class="contributors md-cols-1 rows-gap"> <div class="row post-date"> <span class="published-date">December 29, 2023</span> </div> <div class="author row"> <img src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCA0MDAgNDAwIiB3aWR0aD0iNDAwIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjQwMCIgZGF0YS11PSJodHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRmNvc21vc21hZ2F6aW5lLmNvbSUyRndwLWNvbnRlbnQlMkZ0aGVtZXMlMkZjb3Ntb3MlMkZkaXN0JTJGaW1hZ2VzJTJGcGxhY2Vob2xkZXItY29udHJpYnV0b3Iuc3ZnJTNGdiUzRGFkNGJkYjZlIiBkYXRhLXc9IjQwMCIgZGF0YS1oPSI0MDAiIGRhdGEtYmlwPSIiPjwvc3ZnPg==" data-spai="1" alt="Cosmos Magazine" width="200" height="200" class="md-hide" /><noscript data-spai="1"><img src="https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/ret_img/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/themes/cosmos/dist/images/placeholder-contributor.svg?v=ad4bdb6e" data-spai-egr="1" alt="Cosmos Magazine" width="200" height="200" class="md-hide" /></noscript> <div class="bio"> <h3 class="md-hide">Cosmos</h3> <p class="md-hide">Cosmos is a quarterly science magazine. We aim to inspire curiosity in ‘The Science of Everything’ and make the world of science accessible to everyone.</p> <h3 id="author-name" class="hide">By Cosmos</h3> </div> </div> <div class="favourite__wrapper row cols"> <button class="showDialog simplefavorite-button" aria-label="Favourite button"> </button> </div> </section> </div> <div class="primary-content cols-1 col-span-5 col"> <div class="flexible-content "> <div class="copy"> <p>Who doesn’t love a good flowering plant?  But flowers aren’t all delicate and fragrant: they can smell like rotting corpses, parasitically invade tree systems, and even land a few nasty chemicals in your mother’s house.</p> <p>Here are the six most popular flower stories of 2023.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" width="850" height="380" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCA4NTAgMzgwIiB3aWR0aD0iODUwIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjM4MCIgZGF0YS11PSIlMkZ3cC1jb250ZW50JTJGdXBsb2FkcyUyRjIwMjMlMkYwMiUyRkZhaXJ5LWxhbnRlcm4tY3JvcHBlZC04NTAuanBnIiBkYXRhLXc9Ijg1MCIgZGF0YS1oPSIzODAiIGRhdGEtYmlwPSIiPjwvc3ZnPg==" data-spai="1" alt="Fairy lantern cropped 850" class="wp-image-236865" title="fairy lanterns and corpse flowers: 6 flummoxing flower facts 1"><noscript data-spai="1"><img decoding="async" width="850" height="380" src="https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Fairy-lantern-cropped-850.jpg" data-spai-egr="1" alt="Fairy lantern cropped 850" class="wp-image-236865" srcset="https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Fairy-lantern-cropped-850.jpg 850w, https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Fairy-lantern-cropped-850-600x268.jpg 600w, https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Fairy-lantern-cropped-850-768x343.jpg 768w, https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Fairy-lantern-cropped-850-300x134.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px" title="fairy lanterns and corpse flowers: 6 flummoxing flower facts 1"></noscript><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Thismia kobensis (A) and its stamens (B).</figcaption></figure> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">1. Species of ethereal fairy lantern rediscovered in Japan after being presumed extinct for 30 years</h2> <p>Scientists have “rediscovered” a species in the genus of the strange and unearthly flowers called <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thismia" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><em>Thismia</em></a>, commonly known as fairy lanterns, which have  abandoned green leaves and photosynthesis.</p> <p>They live entirely underground – except when their lantern-like flowers rise above the soil during the wet season – and are sometimes mistaken for mushrooms.</p> <p>One species of these unusual and elusive flowers, <em>Thismia kobensis</em>, was originally discovered from a single specimen in Kobe City, Japan, in 1992. But, when scientists failed to find another and its habitat was destroyed during the construction of an industrial complex, it was subsequently presumed extinct.</p> <p><a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/nature/fairy-lantern-thismia-kobensis-japan/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Read more</a>.</p> <div class="advert ad-in-content ad-mobile auh-250"><div id="adn-00000000001fc2ca-i0p0" style="display: none"></div></div> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2. Corpse flower bursts into bloom – and with it, the opportunity to save the species</h2> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" width="850" height="754" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCA4NTAgNzU0IiB3aWR0aD0iODUwIiBoZWlnaHQ9Ijc1NCIgZGF0YS11PSIlMkZ3cC1jb250ZW50JTJGdXBsb2FkcyUyRjIwMjMlMkYwMSUyRjg1MC1QMTAxMTExMC5qcGciIGRhdGEtdz0iODUwIiBkYXRhLWg9Ijc1NCIgZGF0YS1iaXA9IiI+PC9zdmc+" data-spai="1" alt="Titan arum corpse flower plant inside greenhouse" class="wp-image-230983" title="fairy lanterns and corpse flowers: 6 flummoxing flower facts 2"><noscript data-spai="1"><img decoding="async" width="850" height="754" src="https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/850-P1011110.jpg" data-spai-egr="1" alt="Titan arum corpse flower plant inside greenhouse" class="wp-image-230983" srcset="https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/850-P1011110.jpg 850w, https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/850-P1011110-600x532.jpg 600w, https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/850-P1011110-768x681.jpg 768w, https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/850-P1011110-300x266.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px" title="fairy lanterns and corpse flowers: 6 flummoxing flower facts 2"></noscript><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The blooming second-generation corpse flower is currently on display at the Adelaide Botanic Garden’s Bicentennial Conservatory. Credit: Jacinta Bowler</figcaption></figure> <p>The foul-smelling corpse flower only blooms for a couple of days every few years, so propagating and ensuring its survival is a delicate struggle.</p> <p>Early this year at the Adelaide Botanic Gardens, a Titan Arum (<em>Amorphophallus titanium</em>), nearly 10 years old, showed off its first ever bloom. But it’s particularly exciting because it’s the first “second generation” corpse flower at the Gardens to do it.</p> <p>This means that the Botanic Gardens’ efforts to propagate corpse flowers in-house are succeeding, providing new hope for the endangered species.</p> <p><a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/nature/corspe-flower-second-generation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Read more</a>.</p> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> <div class="embed-wrapper"><div class="inner"><iframe title="Cosmos Briefing: Corpse flower bloom" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/t_ZLikA4jeY?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div> </div></figure> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">3. World’s largest flowers are facing extinction</h2> <p>And now for another type of corpse flower. Most plants in the <em>Rafflesia</em> genus – which have the largest known flowers in the world – are under threat of extinction, according to an international team of botanists.</p> <div class="advert ad-in-content ad-mobile auh-250"><div id="adn-00000000001fc2ca-i1p0" style="display: none"></div></div> <div class="in-content-area related-box-wrapper content-third content-right margin-bottom-1"> <div class="gradient-title">Read More</div> <ul class="related-box article-listing"> <li class="cols"> <div class="article article-post"> <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/nature/plants/bamboo-flowering-die/" class="thumbnail ar-16-9" aria-label="Article link"> <span data-spai-bg-on="1" class="image" style="background-image: url(data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxMjAwIDY3NSIgd2lkdGg9IjEyMDAiIGhlaWdodD0iNjc1IiBkYXRhLXU9Imh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGY29zbW9zbWFnYXppbmUuY29tJTJGd3AtY29udGVudCUyRnVwbG9hZHMlMkYyMDIzJTJGMDglMkYxMjAwLUdldHR5SW1hZ2VzLTE4NDI5NTcyOC5qcGciIGRhdGEtdz0iMTIwMCIgZGF0YS1oPSI2NzUiIGRhdGEtYmlwPSIiPjwvc3ZnPg==)"></span> </a> <div class="article-content has-very-light-grey-background-color"> <a href="/nature/plants/"> <span class="category nature-color"> Plants </span> </a> <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/nature/plants/bamboo-flowering-die/"> <h3>Bamboo about to flower and die for first time in 120 years</h3> </a> </div> </div> </li> </ul> </div> <p>Native to Southeast Asia, <em>Rafflesia</em> plants have life cycles so bizarre that botanic gardens like the <a href="https://www.kew.org/plants/rafflesia-arnoldi" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">UK’s Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew</a>, struggle to cultivate them.</p> <p>The plants spend most of their time as invasive thread-like filaments, parasitising jungle vines. Then, when it’s time to pollinate, they burst out of vine bark in massive flowers, up to a metre in size.</p> <a href="https://link.cosmosmagazine.com/OP59" class="newsletter-cta" data-device="mobile"> <img decoding="async" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAzMDAgMjUwIiB3aWR0aD0iMzAwIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjI1MCIgZGF0YS11PSIlMkZ3cC1jb250ZW50JTJGdXBsb2FkcyUyRjIwMjQlMkYwMyUyRldlZWtseS1DYXRjaHVwLTMwMHgyNTAtMS5wbmciIGRhdGEtdz0iMzAwIiBkYXRhLWg9IjI1MCIgZGF0YS1iaXA9IiI+PC9zdmc+" data-spai="1" alt="Newsletter" title="fairy lanterns and corpse flowers: 6 flummoxing flower facts 3"><noscript data-spai="1"><img decoding="async" src="https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Weekly-Catchup-300x250-1.png" data-spai-egr="1" alt="Newsletter" title="fairy lanterns and corpse flowers: 6 flummoxing flower facts 3"></noscript> </a> <p><a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/nature/plants/largest-flowers-facing-extinction/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Read more</a>.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" width="850" height="1052" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCA4NTAgMTA1MiIgd2lkdGg9Ijg1MCIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxMDUyIiBkYXRhLXU9IiUyRndwLWNvbnRlbnQlMkZ1cGxvYWRzJTJGMjAyMyUyRjA5JTJGODUwLUNocmlzLVRob3JvZ29vZC13aXRoLVJhZmZsZXNpYS1hcm5vbGRpaS10aGUtbGFyZ2VzdC1mbG93ZXItaW4tdGhlLXdvcmxkLWluLVN1bWF0cmEuanBnIiBkYXRhLXc9Ijg1MCIgZGF0YS1oPSIxMDUyIiBkYXRhLWJpcD0iIj48L3N2Zz4=" data-spai="1" alt="Person in jungle with giant flower" class="wp-image-281925" title="fairy lanterns and corpse flowers: 6 flummoxing flower facts 4"><noscript data-spai="1"><img decoding="async" width="850" height="1052" src="https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/850-Chris-Thorogood-with-Rafflesia-arnoldii-the-largest-flower-in-the-world-in-Sumatra.jpg" data-spai-egr="1" alt="Person in jungle with giant flower" class="wp-image-281925" srcset="https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/850-Chris-Thorogood-with-Rafflesia-arnoldii-the-largest-flower-in-the-world-in-Sumatra.jpg 850w, https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/850-Chris-Thorogood-with-Rafflesia-arnoldii-the-largest-flower-in-the-world-in-Sumatra-485x600.jpg 485w, https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/850-Chris-Thorogood-with-Rafflesia-arnoldii-the-largest-flower-in-the-world-in-Sumatra-768x951.jpg 768w, https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/850-Chris-Thorogood-with-Rafflesia-arnoldii-the-largest-flower-in-the-world-in-Sumatra-300x371.jpg 300w, https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/850-Chris-Thorogood-with-Rafflesia-arnoldii-the-largest-flower-in-the-world-in-Sumatra-600x743.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px" title="fairy lanterns and corpse flowers: 6 flummoxing flower facts 4"></noscript><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Chris Thorogood with Rafflesia arnoldii, the largest flower in the world, in Sumatra. Credit: Chris Thorogood.</figcaption></figure> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">4. Florists and growers say buy local blooms for Mother’s Day to avoid giving mum a chemical surprise</h2> <p>Consider this a warning ahead of next Mother’s Day.</p> <p>Australian florists and flower growers are encouraging consumers to choose locally grown blooms to avoid the chemicals associated with imports.</p> <div class="advert ad-in-content ad-mobile auh-250"><div id="adn-00000000001fc2ca-i2p0" style="display: none"></div></div> <p><a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/earth/florists-and-growers-say-buy-local-blooms-for-mothers-day/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Read more</a>.</p> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">5. Bamboo about to flower and die for first time in 120 years</h2> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" width="850" height="638" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCA4NTAgNjM4IiB3aWR0aD0iODUwIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjYzOCIgZGF0YS11PSIlMkZ3cC1jb250ZW50JTJGdXBsb2FkcyUyRjIwMjMlMkYwOCUyRjg1MC1CYW1ib28tZmxvd2VyaW5nLmpwZyIgZGF0YS13PSI4NTAiIGRhdGEtaD0iNjM4IiBkYXRhLWJpcD0iIj48L3N2Zz4=" data-spai="1" alt="Bamboo flowering" class="wp-image-262234" title="fairy lanterns and corpse flowers: 6 flummoxing flower facts 5"><noscript data-spai="1"><img decoding="async" width="850" height="638" src="https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/850-Bamboo-flowering.jpg" data-spai-egr="1" alt="Bamboo flowering" class="wp-image-262234" srcset="https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/850-Bamboo-flowering.jpg 850w, https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/850-Bamboo-flowering-600x450.jpg 600w, https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/850-Bamboo-flowering-768x576.jpg 768w, https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/850-Bamboo-flowering-300x225.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px" title="fairy lanterns and corpse flowers: 6 flummoxing flower facts 5"></noscript><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The flowering bamboo. Credit: Toshihiro Yamada, Hiroshima University</figcaption></figure> <p>A species of bamboo found all over Japan – <em>Phyllostachys nigra</em> var. <em>henonis </em>– is about to flower for the first time in 120 years, and then die.</p> <p>The flowering event, expected in 2028, could have wide ramifications for the country’s ecology and economy.</p> <p>But researchers don’t know exactly how the plant regenerates – or what’s going to happen in 5 years’ time.</p> <p><a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/nature/plants/bamboo-flowering-die/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Read more</a>.</p> <div class="advert ad-in-content ad-mobile auh-250"><div id="adn-00000000001fc2ca-i3p0" style="display: none"></div></div> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">6. Cherry blossom blooms – and the seasons they follow – can be tracked with social media</h2> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" width="1000" height="1031" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxMDAwIDEwMzEiIHdpZHRoPSIxMDAwIiBoZWlnaHQ9IjEwMzEiIGRhdGEtdT0iJTJGd3AtY29udGVudCUyRnVwbG9hZHMlMkYyMDIzJTJGMDYlMkZBbGFuQW5pbWF0ZWRHSUYtSmFwYW5CbG9zc29tcy1TTUFMTC0zU2VwdDIxLTEuZ2lmIiBkYXRhLXc9IjEwMDAiIGRhdGEtaD0iMTAzMSIgZGF0YS1iaXA9IiI+PC9zdmc+" data-spai="1" alt="Animated gif showing pink dots representing cherry blossom blooms on map of japan, blooms start in the south and move north from january to may" class="wp-image-251841" title="fairy lanterns and corpse flowers: 6 flummoxing flower facts 6"><noscript data-spai="1"><img decoding="async" width="1000" height="1031" src="https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/AlanAnimatedGIF-JapanBlossoms-SMALL-3Sept21-1.gif" data-spai-egr="1" alt="Animated gif showing pink dots representing cherry blossom blooms on map of japan, blooms start in the south and move north from january to may" class="wp-image-251841" title="fairy lanterns and corpse flowers: 6 flummoxing flower facts 6"></noscript><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Cherry blossom blooms in Japan, according to the research. Credit: Supplied by Monash University</figcaption></figure> <p>Ever posted a picture of a tree in full bloom to social media? It could be a crucial source of data on pollination.</p> <p>A team of Australian researchers has found that images of cherry blossom flowers posted to social media can accurately track the Japanese blooming season.</p> <p>This makes these photos a treasure trove of information on blooming seasons, and how they’re changing with global warming.</p> <p><a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/nature/plants/cherry-blossoms-social-media/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Read more</a>.</p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" width="1200" height="675" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCAxMjAwIDY3NSIgd2lkdGg9IjEyMDAiIGhlaWdodD0iNjc1IiBkYXRhLXU9IiUyRndwLWNvbnRlbnQlMkZ1cGxvYWRzJTJGMjAyMyUyRjA2JTJGMTIwMC1HZXR0eUltYWdlcy0xMzcwMjk1NDE3LmpwZyIgZGF0YS13PSIxMjAwIiBkYXRhLWg9IjY3NSIgZGF0YS1iaXA9IiI+PC9zdmc+" data-spai="1" alt="Cherry blossoms on flowering trees in park" class="wp-image-251791" title="fairy lanterns and corpse flowers: 6 flummoxing flower facts 7"><noscript data-spai="1"><img decoding="async" width="1200" height="675" src="https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/1200-GettyImages-1370295417.jpg" data-spai-egr="1" alt="Cherry blossoms on flowering trees in park" class="wp-image-251791" srcset="https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/1200-GettyImages-1370295417.jpg 1200w, https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/1200-GettyImages-1370295417-600x338.jpg 600w, https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/1200-GettyImages-1370295417-768x432.jpg 768w, https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/1200-GettyImages-1370295417-300x169.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" title="fairy lanterns and corpse flowers: 6 flummoxing flower facts 7"></noscript><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Cherry blossoms in Osaka Prefecture, Japan. Credit: onosan / Getty Images</figcaption></figure> <div style><a href="https://link.cosmosmagazine.com/JP4n"><p align="center"><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-198773" src="data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZpZXdCb3g9IjAgMCA3MjggMTUwIiB3aWR0aD0iNzI4IiBoZWlnaHQ9IjE1MCIgZGF0YS11PSIlMkZ3cC1jb250ZW50JTJGdXBsb2FkcyUyRjIwMjMlMkYxMSUyRkNvc21vcy1DYXRjaC1VcC1lbWJlZF83Mjh4MTUwLTEuanBnIiBkYXRhLXc9IjcyOCIgZGF0YS1oPSIxNTAiIGRhdGEtYmlwPSIiPjwvc3ZnPg==" data-spai="1" alt="Sign up to our weekly newsletter" width="600" height="154" title="fairy lanterns and corpse flowers: 6 flummoxing flower facts 8"><noscript data-spai="1"><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-198773" src="https://cdn.shortpixel.ai/spai/q_lossy+ret_img+to_auto/cosmosmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Cosmos-Catch-Up-embed_728x150-1.jpg" data-spai-egr="1" alt="Sign up to our weekly newsletter" width="600" height="154" title="fairy lanterns and corpse flowers: 6 flummoxing flower facts 8"></noscript></p></a></div>  <img id="cosmos-post-tracker" width='1' height='1' style="opacity:0; height:1px!important; width:1px!important; border: 0!important; position: absolute!important; z-index: -1!important;" aria-label="Syndication Tracker" src="https://syndication.cosmosmagazine.com/?id=292334&title=Fairy+lanterns+and+corpse+flowers%3A+6+flummoxing+flower+facts" loading="lazy">  <div class="share-syndicate-wrapper margin-top-1"> <div id="cosmos-link-back">  <p>Originally published by <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com" style="font-style:italic;">Cosmos</a> as <a title="Fairy lanterns and corpse flowers: 6 flummoxing flower facts" href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/nature/plants/flummoxing-flowers-facts/" id="cosmos-post-url">Fairy lanterns and corpse flowers: 6 flummoxing flower facts</a></p>  </div> <div class="article-sharing"> <ul class="cols"> <li> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fcosmosmagazine.com%2Fnature%2Fplants%2Fflummoxing-flowers-facts%2F" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" title="Share on Facebook" onclick="window.open('https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fcosmosmagazine.com%2Fnature%2Fplants%2Fflummoxing-flowers-facts%2F'); 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Fairy lanterns, corpse flowers, time-bomb bamboo & cherry blossoms: 6 flummoxing flower facts