Corpse Flower operation

Helping Mother Nature along: Officials induce labor to help Lois the CorpseFlower bloom

Corpse Flower Lois and her banana bag
Photo by Rachel Hanley
HMNS has added a curtain to Lois' boudoir
Photo by Rachel Hanley

As a city holds its breath in anticipation of the blooming of Corpse Flower Lois, Museum of Natural Science officials are trying to help Mother Nature along.

But contrary to rumors that have flown around all day: The flower has not been sprayed or injected with hormones.

Here's what happened: Horticulturalist Zach Stayton made a minor triangular incision in Lois' base to stimulate a release of the hormone ethylene, which is responsible for blooming. In human terms, it's like ... having sex to induce labor. No pills are taken, no shots are given, it's all natural.

The incision is normally used to pollinate the flower — a chief goal of many institutions. It's usually performed earlier, so what looks like a delay in Lois' blooming may simply be the result of no incision.

The Houston Museum of Natural Science decided against pollination because it wanted the bloom to stay open longer — three to four days versus a few hours. Institutions that pollinate usually have corums or research as their goal — not allowing a a whole city to see a rare, beautiful (and stinky) flower.

With her delay, the museum decided to perform the procedure sans pollination. Stayton believes this is the "boost it needs."

If you've watched the webcam today you've seen the white bag attached to the plant — no, it's not a poop sack — it's filled with rotten bananas. The banana bag covers the incision and as the fruit rots, more ethylene is released. Stayton explained that since "she is taking longer than originally expected" it was time to try a method from the "horticulturist bag of tricks." The ethylene from the incision combined with the bananas, should compel Lois to blossom this weekend.

Another change that's been added is a curtain over the entrance way to the room to increase humidity. That room is quickly becoming one hot, smelly, mess — a tropical plants heaven.

Tonight, the museum will close at midnight but opens again Saturday at 9 a.m. If you plan on going tonight, beware: it's going to be a busy evening with Mixers and Elixirs and Miller Outdoor's Little Shop of Horrors.

Read more about Zac and today's procedure here.

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no more trips to Colorado

Bill to legalize marijuana in Texas filed by Dallas Democrat

Photo courtesy of Texas Original

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Texas Rep. Jessica González (D-Dallas) has filed a bill to legalize recreational marijuana in Texas. House Bill 1208 would legalize the cultivation, manufacturing, transportation, and sale of cannabis.

The bill would allow adults 21 and older to use, possess, and transport up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana for personal use. Adults could also keep up to 10 ounces of cannabis in their residence, as long as it is stored in a secure location.

Smoking or consuming cannabis while in a public place or in a car on a public road would not be allowed.

Gonzalez filed the bill in mid-November, one in a suite of bills that also included expanding insurance coverage for in vitro fertilization for LGBTQ couples; and requiring landlords to disclose all fees before a rental lease is signed.

Her bill was filed prior to an initiative launched by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on December 4 to ban THC products in Texas entirely.

In addition to legalizing recreational use, the bill also makes provisions for its production and sale including requiring that the packaging be child-resistent and clearly labeled, so that it's not confused for candy.

Businesses looking to grow, transport, test, or sell cannabis would need to be licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. A 10 percent tax would be imposed on the sale of all cannabis and cannabis products. Some of the profits would go towards funding public schools.

If passed, the bill would take effect on September 1, 2025.

Medical cannabis is currently legal in Texas under the Texas Compassionate Use Program, which allows low-THC cannabis to be prescribed for conditions such as epilepsy, MS, autism, cancer, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Some cities have also approved decriminalization for the possession of four ounces or less of marijuana, including Austin, Bastrop, Dallas, Denton, Elgin, Killeen, and Lockhart.

politics marijuana