Florist Grows Rare Plant by Jim Ponder - City News Group, Inc.
View Upcoming Events View Your Local Sales

Community Calendar

◄ OCTOBER ►
S M T W T F S
27 28 29 30 01 02 03
04 05 06 07 08 09 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30 31
View Events
Submit Events
directory

Florist Grows Rare Plant

By Jim Ponder, Community Writer
April 16, 2014 at 11:26am. Views: 84

A Southern California florist has succeeded in getting four separate tubers of a very rare species of aroid plant to bloom outdoors without a greenhouse. By getting Amorphophallus konjac to bloom, Thad Mosely, owner of Premier Floral and Gifts in Loma Linda, believes he bested a British public garden, which bragged last week about bringing a single 23.6-inch blossom to maturity outdoors. Mosely's bloom outdid the British specimen by a little over 13 inches measuring 37-inches in height. The plant goes by a variety of names including Voodoo Lily, Devil’s Tongue, Dragon Plant, Snake Plant, and Elephant Yam. It blooms once in its seven-year life cycle and dies afterward. It is infamous for the smell of its flowers, described as rotting horse meat or putrefying manure, which attract pollinating insects and flies. Mosely believes this marks the first time four separate plants of the same species have ever bloomed simultaneously outside a greenhouse in Southern California. He acquired the original tubers in 2004 from Kirk Pamper, from the American Institute of Floral Designers, and Terry Hernstrom, former landscaper for the historic Kimberly Crest mansion in Redlands. Mosely says he has been having a lot of fun with his stinky flowers. One Saturday Mosely took his blooms to his church to display them for the congregation. The blossoms of hues like mottled greens and dark reddish-brown gave off their pungent aroma to the surprise of congregates at Loma Linda University Church. After her brother commented on the foul smell, a young girl observed that God must have a sense of humor.

Related Articles

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By Ruby Steohenson, Community Writer

September 30, 2026 at 11:54am. Views: 109

Families across the Inland Empire celebrate the arrival of fall with pumpkins, costumes and community festivals, as October brings a full calendar of seasonal activities throughout San Bernardino and Riverside counties.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By Amanda Spencer, Community Writer

September 30, 2026 at 09:09am. Views: 268

The City of Grand Terrace tackles rodent control maintenance by supporting its natural nighttime rodent hunters with tiny homes. Learn how the city is giving nature a chance to help.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By Amanda Spencer, Community Writer

September 29, 2026 at 10:08am. Views: 542

One of the largest car shows in the Inland Empire, Rendezvous Back to Route 66, returns on October 10. Located in the heart of San Bernardino, the event brings the community together to enjoy local vendors, live entertainment, activities for all ages, and more than 1,000 classic cars.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

September 29, 2026 at 10:08am. Views: 337

Golfers gathering for a day on the course. The Loma Linda Chamber of Commerce’s 36th Annual Golf Tournament is scheduled for October 21.

Photo Courtesy of: grandterrace-ca.gov/government/elected_officials/city_council

By Margie Miller, Publisher, Community Writer

September 30, 2026 at 09:09am. Views: 285

Councilman Doug Wilson, serving Grand Terrace and seeking another term in the November 2026 election, read more about him and his values.

Photo Courtesy of: https://www.electshorett.com

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

September 30, 2026 at 09:09am. Views: 321

Councilman Fred Shorett, serving San Bernardino's Fourth Ward since 2009 and is seeking another term in the November 2026 election, read more about him and his values.

Photo Courtesy of: AI-generated by ChatGPT.

By Amanda Spencer, Community Writer

September 29, 2026 at 10:13am. Views: 443

The San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra celebrates its founding in style with a Roaring Twenties-themed gala fundraiser on October 17 at 5p.m. The orchestra invites supporters to celebrate the community, music, and legacy it has built over nearly a century.

Photo Courtesy of: AI-generated by ChatGPT.

By Stella Pierce, Community Writer

September 29, 2026 at 10:08am. Views: 336

a business luncheon focused on cybersecurity. The Loma Linda Chamber of Commerce has scheduled its cybersecurity awareness luncheon for October 7.

Photo Courtesy of: County of San Bernardino

By Amanda Spencer, Community Writer

September 28, 2026 at 12:31pm. Views: 540

After two years behind closed doors, the Glen Helen Rehabilitation Center is reopening with a new focus. See how the county hopes expanded rehabilitation and reentry services will help individuals successfully return to their families and communities.

Photo Courtesy of: AI-generated by ChatGPT.

By William Cortez, Community Writer

September 28, 2026 at 12:31pm. Views: 760

As powerful surf eats away at the shoreline, crews race to place sandbags ahead of a potentially severe El Niño storm season. AI-generated illustration; does not depict a specific location or event.

Photo Courtesy of: TME Photography by Titan Mom Elvira

By Titan Mom Elvira, Community Writer

September 28, 2026 at 12:32pm. Views: 548

Jacob Matthew Willis proudly represents Grand Terrace High School as this week’s Athlete of the Week, showcasing his dedication both on the football field and in the classroom.

Photo Courtesy of: Baker Family

By Baker Family, Community Writer

September 23, 2026 at 08:17am. Views: 922

Wendell C Baker of Grand Terrace, California was born in Wichita Falls, Texas and raised in Texas and California. After graduating

--> -->