A highly unusual spectacle is underway in California as a giant Amorphophallus Titanium, commonly known as a corpse flower, has begun to bloom near Los Angeles. This rare event, occurring only every few years, is accompanied by a strong and repulsive odor that has drawn attention from both local visitors and gardening enthusiasts.
Situated at the Huntingdon Library, the bloom of the corpse flower is a remarkable phenomenon. The plant’s distinctive feature is its intense fragrance resembling that of rotting flesh. Bryce Dunn, a conservatory gardener, explains that this malodorous emission serves a unique purpose: “It smells of rotting flesh… It’s trying to attract carrion flies to come pollinate it, so the more it can get that smell out the more flies it attracts, the better the plant does.”
Despite its less-than-pleasant aroma, the flowering event has attracted visitors eager to witness this rare occurrence. The corpse flower’s bloom, reaching human height, is an assembly of numerous small flowers—both male and female—that open at varying intervals. This process, after about a month of preparation, culminates in a fleeting display that lasts only around 48 hours.
Bryce Dunn emphasizes the brevity of the spectacle: “Once the flower opens, it’s gone within 48 hours… So it’s a very, very short-lived bloom, but it’s quite spectacular.”
Diana Doo, a visitor, expressed her appreciation for witnessing the remarkable event: “It’s such a rare event. I think I’m so lucky to get to see it.” However, some opinions on the smell varied. Paul Rulmohr, another visitor, commented, “I wouldn’t say that it was like a corpse… It’s more like an urban dumpster. But it’s good… if you’re into that.”
The corpse flower’s distinctive characteristics, including its striking appearance and powerful odor, make it a captivating and noteworthy botanical occurrence.
