What a stinker!
The world's smelliest flower opened in June at Selby Gardens in Sarasota and the rare bloom received lots of attention.
The Amorphophallus titanum , or Titan arum, also referred to as "stinky plant" or "corpse plant," is one of the largest flowers in the world.
Article Photos
This particular flower had not bloomed since 2005 when the bloom rose to more than 5 feet high.
When the plant opened in a rare full bloom it drew visitors from all across the United States to see it in person.
This plant's bloom is as rare as its scent as the world's largest un-branched flower cluster. This flower's odor when it first opens is similar to the odor of rotten meat.
The full bloom lasts less than a day before collapsing under its own weight.
Fact Box
Selby Gardens at a glance
What: Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.
Where: 811 South Palm Ave., Sarasota Florida
Contact: (941) 366-5731
Cost: Adults, $7; Children 6-11, $6
This particular flower had not bloomed since 2005 when the bloom rose to more than 5 feet high. These plants can grow as tall as 10 feet. It is rare for anyone to see this flower in the United States. It is native to Indonesia and listed on the threatened species list.
The bright purple bloom was visible until it closed and it could stay that way until 2019 or later. The corpse flower became the official flower of the Bronx in 1937 at the New York Botanical Gardens where the first recorded bloom took place.
In full bloom, this plant looks like a prop from "Star Trek." Its velvety cone shape rises up from the leaf with umbrella-sized petals that open up to 3 feet in diameter.
Selby Gardens houses thousands of colorful exotic plants on 14 acres in a brick-laid residential area. Many plants have been collected from the wild and brought back to the 12 buildings on property. Seven greenhouses are the heart of the Selby Gardens research and plant identification programs.
Selby Gardens is best known for its living collection of more than 6,000 orchids. The organization is well respected for its research and education programs and horticultural displays. Visitors take away a better understanding and appreciation of the "natural world" and the challenges it faces.
