Corpse flower

Doug Ewing fans a corpse flower at the Volunteer Park Conservatory to spread the odor toward onlookers Monday evening. Ewing manages the botany greenhouse at the University of Washington, which loaned the plant, nicknamed Husky, to the conservatory while it is in bloom. Viewers likened the fragrance to "a dead squirrel," "garbage" and "a latrine." (SCOTT COHEN / THE SEATTLE TIMES)

The University of Washington's botany greenhouse has loaned another corpse flower, named Husky, to Seattle's Volunteer Park Conservatory, and the plant, known for its putrid smell, has begun to bloom.

The conservatory announced Monday that the plant had begun to bloom. The conservatory extended its hours; today it will open at 8:30 a.m.

Husky began life as an almond-size seed in Sumatra, and now is 5 feet tall and weighs more than 80 pounds. The UW last year loaned a corpse flower named Waldo, which still resides at the conservatory.

Also known as Devil's Tongue or Titan Arum, the plant has a skirtlike maroon-and-green spathed blossom, more commonly known as a corpse flower, which doesn't last long. Its stench has been compared to the odor of rotting flesh. Still, a blossoming plant becomes a celebrated event.

The conservatory, at the north end of Volunteer Park on Capitol Hill, 1400 E. Galer St., is normally open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and admission is free.

People can call the conservatory hotline — 206-684-4743 — for updates on the plant.

On tap today

The Phinney Neighborhood Center will host a discussion about campaign funding. A short video narrated by Bill Moyers will precede the discussion, led by Washington Public Campaigns volunteer Craig Salins.

The event begins at 7:15 p.m. at the center, 6532 Phinney Ave. N., Seattle. Free and open to all. For more information, call 206-783-2244.

Farmers Market Week

Gov. Christine Gregoire has declared this week Farmers Market Week in honor of dozens of farmers markets throughout the state.

King County has nearly 60,000 acres of farmlands that contribute products to the farmers markets that dot the county.

For a list of farmers markets and farms in King County, including U-pick farms, organic products, recipes and more, visit www.pugetsoundfresh.org or call 206-632-0606.

Here & Now is compiled by Suesan Whitney Henderson, Seattle Times staff. To submit an item, e-mail herenow@seattletimes.com or call 206-464-2226.