HOUSTON—The stinky corpse flower has the Museum of Natural Science seeing green!
In the past two weeks alone, ticket sales have topped more than a quarter of a million dollars as an anxious public waits for the flower’s fragrant bloom.
The number of people visiting the Butterfly Center to see the flower, named Lois, has almost quadrupled for this time of year.
But it seems that Lois isn’t the only draw at the museum.
Zac Stayton, the once-shy green thumb in charge of the slow-to-bloom Lois, has sprouted a fan club.
"I’m happy to be riding on Lois’ coattails. She is the famous one and I’m just taking care of her," said Stayton.
Thousands have visited and millions more have logged on to see the rare stinky flower and her 26-year old sidekick.
Flower fan Daniel Rennert recognized Zac when he came in to see Lois.
"From being on the website and watching his streaming video and what not," said Rennert.
Some people even had Lois gear. Cordelia Price was decked out in pins and had a T-shirt from the big non-event. She has already walked through the attraction more than a dozen times.
"Sixteen times in 10 days," said Price. "I’ve already invested so much time that I would be upset if I missed it now."
But what if the flower never blooms? Even worse, what if Lois dies? Stayton said there’s no way that’s happening.
"It’s very real and as the people who have been here 16 times can tell you, it’s definitely changed," said Stayton.
Stayton has stopped making predictions on when Lois will make a big stink. For now, he’s just giving out autographs.
