Corpse flower in full bloom: the Adelaide botanical garden besieged by curious stench-seekers

The Botanical Garden in Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, saw a huge crowd last weekend due to this peculiar plant. The corpse flower sparked such curiosity that some visitors even waited up to an hour and a half just to see and...experience its scent.

The peculiar flower emits a scent resembling rotting meat. Interestingly, it takes up to 10 years to bloom after being sown and then, only blooms every three to five years thereafter.

This flower was planted in Adelaide a decade ago. It began to open on Saturday, January 7, around 10:00 p.m EST, and three hours later, it was already releasing its infamous scent.

John Sandham, the gardener who spoke to ABC News, stated that there was something which made this flower even more unique. This particular specimen did not come from a seed, but rather, from a cutting.

"This is actually the second generation of the plant that we have pruned. We are very excited about this. This is the first case of its kind," he said.

The flower appeared its best and smelled the strongest on the first day. After 48 hours, the aroma had significantly faded.

The botanical garden reported that on the first day, the plant attracted as many as 1,500 people. The venue extended its hours allowing everyone to get close to the remarkable corpse flower for at least a moment.

"Some people commented that it doesn't look real. It's so incredible, it looks like it's man-made," said Matt Coulter, another botanical garden employee. "Beyond the scent, it's actually an incredibly beautiful plant."

He explained that the scent that it emits acts like an air freshener, hence its stronger smell from a distance.

"It smells like a dead rat, but you can also catch notes of rotten cheese. Many people think it smells like a dead fish, it really has complex aromas - it's very fascinating," added Coulter.

After the weekend, the plant still looks vibrant, but the distinctive smell has undoubtedly weakened. The period between 24 and 48 hours from unfolding is the only time when you can experience its full aroma.

Source: ABC News