Big Stinky Flower
Otherwise, or more technically known as Titan Arum. This flower, though I feel like I am seriously undermining its existence by calling it a flower, is the largest in the world. I recently had the pleasure of seeing it right when it closed (unfortunately) and it stood nearly 6 feet tall. Yes, seriously, a 6 foot tall flower. It was amazing, even when closed. This flower blooms once every 3-5 years and only stays open for about 2 days. I was there on day 3. When it is open it smells like rotting raw chicken…not the essence of perfume you were picturing? Well you would expect a flower that big to knock you over with it’s smell, you probably just didn’t think you would be gagging on the way down. This is where I lucked out by being late, I was not subjected to the horrid smell.
The reason the flower smells this way is because it is trying to attract Carrion beetles to help pollinate it. I guess our big bloom did not have and beetle callers, better luck next time.
The one that I saw was at the Smith College Botanic Garden. Here are my amazing pictures….well at least the flower is amazing, if not the pictures. I took a couple with me in them, mainly for size perspective. Enjoy.
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