A rare corpse flower, also known as Amorphophallus gigas, recently bloomed at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden (BBG).
This caused a stir among curious visitors who were eager to experience its unique and, some would say, revolting odour.
THE CORPSE FLOWER
The flower, nicknamed ‘Smelliott’ by the BBG staff, had been growing in the garden since 2018. It was gifted as a seedling from a Malaysian orchid nursery, according to CBS News.
The corpse flower is infamous for its pungent smell, which draws attention in ways few other flowers can. It only blooms once every 7-10 years, and when it does, the stench is overpowering.
The flower’s scent is designed to attract pollinators—flies and beetles that typically lay eggs in decaying animals.
These insects inadvertently pollinate the plant as they search for their smelly food source.
THE CORPSE FLOWER DRAWS IN THE CROWDS
Chris Sprindis, the gardener at BBG responsible for the flower’s care, explains, “It smells like rotting flesh because insects drawn to such scents pollinate it.”
It’s all part of its natural process.” The odour is so foul that it has been compared to everything from “rotting garbage” to “sweaty gym socks” and “dead rats.”
Despite the overwhelming smell, crowds were eager to experience the bloom in person, according to BBC.
A RARE EVENT
On the weekend of January 25th, 2025, people queued for hours outside the garden. They were all determined not to miss the rare event.
Farah Marie Velten, a resident, waited in line for two hours and reflected on the rarity of the occurrence.
“It makes you think about patience. You never know when it’s going to bloom, but it did, so I’m happy I came,” she said.
THE CORPSE FLOWER SMELL
The corpse flower’s bloom only lasts a couple of days, with the BBG predicting it would last through the weekend, according to The Economic Times.
After this, it will remain dormant for another 3-5 years before blooming again.
The flower’s bloom is a spectacle that draws people from across New York. For some, it’s an opportunity to experience something truly once-in-a-lifetime.
On the second day of the bloom, the smell had already begun to fade.
A PHENOMENON
Sprindis noted, “Yesterday it was a mix of dead rat, garlic, and burnt plastic. Today it’s less intense, but I’m getting more of a stinky cheese, foot smell.”
Even with the diminishing stench, the long line of people continued to wait for their turn to experience the flower in full bloom at the garden.
“It takes years of care and attention to get to this point,” Sprindis said. “It’s always a mystery when it will bloom, so it’s a special moment for everyone involved.”
A RARE FLOWER
Though New Yorkers braved the odour, the bloom’s appeal isn’t just local.
The sight of this rare and unpredictable bloom may have South African plant enthusiaststhinking about the possibility of future blooms in local gardens.
For those willing to brave the stench, the chance to witness the corpse flower’s rare bloom is one that certainly leaves a lasting impression.
IF YOU HAD THE CHANCE, WOULD YOU WANT TO GROW A CORPSE FLOWER IN YOUR GARDEN?
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