Newswise — The rare corpse flower, widely known as the world’s smelliest plant, has begun to bloom at McMaster University, one of only a handful in the world to do so this year.
The massive plant –also called titan arum—has unleashed a stench likened to that of rotting flesh or meat. It is both beautiful and vile, blooming for only a few days.
“Titan arum flowerings are rare in nature and even rarer in cultivated specimens,” explains Arthur Yeas, technician at the university greenhouse.
Found in the rain forests of Sumatra, Indonesia, the large purple flower grows upwards of five or six feet tall and can take many years to bloom.
“They are an amazing example of plant biodiversity on earth and instil in people a love and appreciation of nature essential to our existence on earth,” says Yeas.
In October of last year, Yeas planted three 50-pound corms, or large bulbs, the first of which bloomed at the greenhouse in January, attracting more than 1,000 curious visitors.
Arthur Yeas is available for interviews and can be contacted directly at [email protected] or 905-525-9140, ext. 24284.
For more information, please contact:
Michelle DonovanPublic Relations ManagerMcMaster University905-525-9140, ext. 22869[email protected]
Wade HemsworthPublic Relations ManagerMcMaster University905-525-9140, ext. 27988[email protected]
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