A very stinky flower is getting ready to bloom, and its unique aroma is attracting visitors rather than driving them away.
The U.S. Botanical Garden Conservatory said its titan arum, or corpse flower, is about to bloom – something it hasn’t done since 2007. Once fully open, the flower will produce a very putrid smell, often compared to the stench of rotting flesh.
After 24 to 48 hours, the plant will quickly collapse.
The Botanical Garden said the plant is native to the tropical rainforests of Indonesia and was first discovered in 1878. It does not have an annual blooming cycle and requires special conditions to bloom.
The titan arum is also very large, reputed to have the largest known unbranched inflorescence in the plant kingdom. The unique smell is most potent during the night into the early morning. It also generates heat, which carries the stench even further.
The combination of heat and smell attracts pollinators, such as dung and carrion beetles. The U.S. Botanical Garden last displayed a blooming titan arum in 2007.
The Conservatory has extended visiting hours so more people can catch a glimpse of the blooming plant. They will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday and Monday.
If you can’t make it to the Conservatory, they have also set up a live web cam for people to watch the plant.
But, you won’t be able to smell it.
Photo Credit: UConn