Stinky Affair: Corpse Flower That Smells Like Death Blooms at New York Botanical Garden

An odorous event took place in New York as the corpse flower (Amorphophallus titanum) or stinky plant bloomed at the U.S. Botanic Garden Conservatory (USBG) after weeks of waiting.

According to the USBG, the corpse flower gets its name from the stench it releases when it blooms. The plant, which is around 3.5 feet tall, harnesses and stores energy until it has enough to bloom and release its putrid smell. The corpse flower's smell is strongest at night until early morning.

The National Geographic says the corpse flower's rotten flesh smell is designed to attract and trick dung beetles and flies for pollination. Various molecules are responsible to the flower's stench such as timethylamine and isovaleric acid.

"It makes them think there's rotten meat somewhere to lay their eggs, and then that helps the corpse flower to get pollinated. It smells bad to us, but it smells great to flies," said Mo Fayazz of the University of Wisconsin's Department of Botany.

Discovered in 1878 and native to the tropical forests of Sumatra, the corpse flower has a very unpredictable blooming period. Unlike most plants that are dependent to the season, the corpse flower could last years, even a decade, to bloom. It all depends on unique conditions that will allow it to store enough energy.

According to a press release from the NYBG, horticulturists noticed the bloom on July 15. They moved the corpse flower in NYBG's Palms of the World Gallery for display to the public. Crowds flocked to the garden to witness the mysterious plant on Thursday afternoon. The NYBG said that it has been 80 years since the first blooming of a corpse flowe at the NYBG on June 8, 1937

The rare plant can cause a rare stinky smell that will last for 24 to 36 hours during its peak bloom. It takes about seven to 10 years for the plant to store enough energy for one bloom cycle.

The NYBG has provided a live stream of the corpse flower. Check out the video below.