ENCINITAS, Calif. (KGTV) — A rare and rancid smell filled the air at the San Diego Botanic Garden on Halloween, after the garden's "corpse flower" bloomed.
The Amorphophallus Titanum, one of the world’s largest and rarest flowers also known as the "corpse flower," bloomed on Sunday night, sending out an odor described as rotting flesh. The bloom only lasts 48 hours.
The bloom of a corpse flower is a rare and special event, as most plants require seven to ten years to produce their first blooms, and then bloom only every four to five years thereafter.
When it blooms, it emits a repulsive odor to the delight of some insects. The smell attracts beetles and flies that the plant needs for pollination. The garden hosted a 24-hour livestream of the plant, which grows as much as six inches per day.
"The corpse flower is the rock star diva of the plant world. We can't wait to see what this corpse flower is going to do,” said SDBG President and CEO, Ari Novy, PhD.
The San Diego Botanic Garden is open 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Wednesday through Monday.
ADMISSION:
Adults $18
Seniors, students, active military $12
Children ages 3-17 $10
Members; children ages 2 & under FREE
Parking FREE
