The wait is over: the strangest and most smelly flower on the planet made his show

Thousands of curious invaded the Royal Botanic Garden of Sydneydriven by an event as rare as it is olfactory demanding: Putricia’s floweringtheAmorphophallus Titanumbetter known as the “corpse flower”.

This botanical giant, Originally from the multiplasses of Sumatra, in Indonesiais famous for its imposing dimensions (can exceed 3 meters high), the phallic form and, above all, for its nauseating smell, similar to that of meat in putrefaction. An aroma that is anything but inviting, which earned him the little flattering appellation of “corpse flower”.

But what pushes thousands of people to face long queues, some even three hours, to attend this spectacle of nature?

View this post on Instagram

A Post Shared by Botanic Gardens of Sydney (@botanicsydney)

First of all the rarity of the event. Putricia, in fact, decided to flourish for the first time after 15 years. In nature, the flowering of theAmorphophallus Titanum It takes place only every 7-10 years e It lasts just 24-48 hours. An opportunity not to be missed, therefore, to admire this ephemeral giant. “The fact that it is so big, that it puts us so much (to flourish) and that it has such an unpleasant smell it really attracts people,” he told Reuters Summerell, a scientist at the head of Sydney Botanic Gardens.

And the smell? Well, that’s an experience in itself. There are those who compare it to “a dead opossum”, some to “boiling garbage”, some to “something that marches”. In short, not really a scent of roses! But it is precisely this nauseating smell that makes the flower corpse so fascinating.

The smell, in fact, is a weapon of seduction. The plant produces it to attract pollinating insectslike beetles and flies, who feed on carrion. Deceived by the aroma, these insects approach the flower, transporting pollen and ensuring the reproduction of the plant.

Putricia, with the deployment of its petals, has triggered a real media phenomenon. The livestream of the event totaled almost a million viewswith spectators from all over the world who have followed the opening of its crimson petals with their breath. On social media, the hashtag #putricia has become viralwith thousands of users who shared photos, videos and comments on the “stinking” protagonist.

But Putricia is not just a social phenomenon. Its flowering is an important event also from a scientific point of view. THE’Amorphophallus TitanumIndeed, It is an extinction species. It is estimated that they exist Less than 1,000 specimens around the worldincluding those cultivated. Its flowering therefore offers a unique opportunity to study this rare plant and contribute to its conservation.

Putricia, with its nauseating smell and its ephemeral beauty, reminds us of the extraordinary diversity of the natural world and its ability to surprise us and fascinate us. A unique sensory experience, which transformed Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden into a stage for a show as rare as it is unforgettable.