Visitors to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden have recently been captivated by a rare plant that has captured attention not just for its unique appearance, but for its overwhelmingly foul odor. The bloom, which is part of the Amorphophallus gigas species, is notorious for emitting a scent reminiscent of decaying organic matter, leading to a curious mix of intrigue and disgust among onlookers. “It smells like a blend of feet, cheese, and spoiled meat. It’s truly an awful combination,” commented Elijah Blades, expressing the overwhelming nature of the aroma.
This Amorphophallus gigas, a close relative of the well-known corpse flower (Amorphophallus titanum), has blossomed for the first time since it was brought to Brooklyn in 2018. Originating from Sumatra, this remarkable plant is famous not just for its towering height but also for its stench, which it uses to lure pollinators. According to Chris Sprindis, a gardener at the site, the plant hosts numerous male and female flowers within its bloom. He first noticed the flowering cluster around New Year’s Eve and noted that the bloom is only set to last a few days before it wilts and collapses. “This is the first time it’s occurred here. We won’t see another bloom for several years,” said Sprindis.
Globally, there are only a few botanical gardens hosting such rare species, and this week similar scenes were witnessed in Sydney, where visitors lined up for hours to catch a whiff of an Amorphophallus titanum in bloom. The lines stretched for three hours, with many eager to experience the unique scent described as combining the essence of dirty gym socks and decomposing garbage. This bloom at the Royal Sydney Botanic Garden marked the first occurrence in 15 years. The flowering plant was initially observed in December when it measured just 10 inches (25 centimeters) tall, but by Thursday, it had soared to an impressive height of over 5 feet (1.6 meters).
