In Geelong, Australia, thousands gathered for a rare opportunity to experience the bloom of the “corpse flower,” known for its intense smell that has been likened to decaying animals. The Titan Arum, as it is scientifically called, is a rarity in the plant world due to its infrequent and short-lived blooming cycle.
The spectacle of the Titan Arum draws massive crowds not just for its visual appeal but largely due to its infamous odor. One visitor remarked, “It’s rank,” while a child candidly stated, “It smells like dead possum.” This pungent smell is no accident; it serves to attract pollinators such as beetles and flies.
The blooming event, which happens unpredictably and sometimes only once every decade, lasts for merely 24 to 48 hours. This impermanence makes the event highly anticipated, with about 5,000 individuals visiting on the very first day it bloomed. The Geelong Botanic Garden had received this particular plant as a gift from the State Herbarium in Adelaide in 2021, and horticulturalists have been eagerly monitoring its growth.
For those unable to visit the site personally, the gardens have provided a livestream, amassing thousands of views globally. Some enthusiasts have made repeated visits to observe the various stages of the flower’s bloom, including the unfurling of its basal leaf around the central spadix.
Ali Wastie, CEO of the City of Greater Geelong, highlighted the role of botanic gardens in preserving unique species, emphasizing the importance of conserving the endangered Titan Arum whose wild population faces threats from habitat destruction in its native Indonesian habitat. Known for its colossal structure, the Titan Arum faces critical endangerment, with only a few hundred plants estimated to remain in the wild.
The fleeting bloom of the Titan Arum in Geelong serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility and significance of plant conservation efforts worldwide, particularly for rare species facing ecological challenges.
Source: Accuweather
